Josh Harrison Is In Good Spirits After Thumb Surgery
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- Josh Harrison had a feeling that his thumb injury was more than just a jammed finger when he slid into second base on Sunday, and it turns out, he was right.
Harrison knew something was wrong because it hurt a little worse than a typical jammed finger and he also wasn't able to move it.
"I didn't really have a reaction because I've jammed my fingers plenty of times and after getting with the trainers I thought it was best precaution to come out because I didn't want to go out and try to squeeze my glove," Harrison said.
He was placed on the disabled list on Monday and after a couple of opinions he found out on Wednesday that he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.
Harrison underwent surgery on Wednesday, which was also his 28th birthday. He is expected to recover in seven weeks, which would be around the end of August or early September.
Despite the bad news, he said it could have been a lot worse and he isn't letting the situation keep him from having a positive outlook.
"There are guys that have Tommy John and they are out a year and a half," Harrison said. "There's no need for me to get bent out of shape when I have an opportunity to come back this year and help make a playoff push."
He's not sure how long he will need to keep the thumb immobilized, but he thinks there is a chance he could return in less than 7 week.
"It depends on how quick I get my mobility back in my thumb and there's a difference between playing sore and with pain," Harrison said. "I can play sore, I just don't want to play in pain and that's the main reason I came out of the game the other day."
Harrison underwent a hernia surgery during his collegiate career but this is the first injury that has required surgery during his MLB career.
"It's going to be a little different for me but I get to be around the guys so it definitely helps my spirits," he said.
