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Joel Zumaya Injury Update: Twins Pitcher Considering His Future After Torn UCL Is Revealed

Joel Zumaya has had a career full of blazing fastballs but also a career full of injuries, a risk that the Minnesota Twins knew when they picked him up. After only 13 pitches at spring training, a torn UCL was revealed, the latest in a frustrating set of injuries in the past few years for the starting pitcher.

Now according to ESPN, Zumaya is considering ending his career outright rather than go through Tommy John Surgery, which would be his sixth arm surgery in as many years.

"I think it's more whether or not he wants to continue the battle," Ryan said.

"He's out for the season; there's no doubt about that. It's just going to be a preference on what he wants to do. Once he settles in and talks to his family and all that stuff that comes with a decision."

Ryan said Zumaya will come back to Hammond Stadium in the next day or two and evaluate his options.

With Zumaya out for the entire season because of that torn UCL, look for guys like Anthony Swarzak to get magnified roles on the team in 2012. If Zumaya decides to not come back at all, there will need to be a full on spreading of the load he was expected to take for years to come.

For more on the Minnesota Twins, check out Twinkie Town. For more on Major League Baseball in general, head over to Baseball Nation.

Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.