Wada heads west for a second opinion and Tommy John surgery is possible

He's been shut down since pitching in a Triple-A game on April 19 and Orioles pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada said today that he will head to California on Sunday for a Monday appointment with Dr. Lewis Yocum about his ailing left elbow. He said that Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery is a possibility. Wada will be getting a second opinion from Dr. Yocum after seeing the Orioles orthopedist, Dr. John Wilckens. "Dr. Wilckens said that he could have a surgery or he could not have a surgery and rehab it just without it," Wada said through his interpreter. "He's not really sure what he is going to do. That is why he will get a second opinion first and see how things go from there. "He said that his elbow is feeling better compared to the last time he pitched but the results of the MRI was not so good as he thought it would be. He wants to get a second opinion and figure things out after that. "If it's going to be a surgery, it's probably going to be Tommy John." Wada pitched twice in extended spring training and then took the mound a week ago in that Triple-A game but didn't make it through the third inning. Over 2 2/3, he gave up six hits, including a homer and six runs with four walks and strikeout. He threw 77 pitches against Gwinnett. "After I get a second opinion, I have to talk to the manager and figure things out. Then I will talk to Dr. Wilckens after I get that second opinion," Wada said. Wada was asked if it has been frustrating dealing with an injured elbow instead of working his way onto the Orioles pitching staff. "It is a little bit frustrating but it already happened. You can't do anything about it but move on from here, so, all I am thinking about now is being able to pitch 100 percent with a healthy body and come back and help the team out."