Jake Peavy initially tweaked the inner aspect of his right ankle back on May 22 while running the bases against the Cubs. It looks like the lack of attention to this injury could have cost the Padres a chance at keeping their ace on the hill - or even a chance at trading him before the July 31 deadline.
You would have thought that your franchise, stud pitcher would have received a MRI on his ankle after continuing to complain of discomfort, or when he needed extra days of rest between starts. Or when it was clear that he wasn’t pushing off the right ankle with nearly the same force and vigor.
After going back and forth in the media about the severity of Peavy’s ankle injury, Bud Black finally said that it was a "minor issue." Turns out this minor issue is not so minor after all.
He will be casted in a hard cast for about 4 weeks, at which time he will be re-evaluated. Think of the David Ortiz situation last year, except in the ankle. The tendon in question is more than likely the Posterior Tibialis tendon, which courses from the lower shin, wraps around the inner ankle bone (Medial Malleolus), and inserts under the arch of the foot. It is responsible for controlling pronation - your foot going "flat" - and is very importantly in dynamic control of the foot and arch in general.
Since tendons heal very poorly anyway, you can expect him to be out 8 weeks at the very absolute minimum, with a more likely scenario having him out upwards of 12 weeks-plus. A compounding factor here is that the location of the tendon predisposes itself to chronic irritation, especially if the person has a fallen arch to begin with. With every step you take, the tendon is activated during the gait cycle to control the foot, so it is being used. This is why the hard cast is so important early on, to allow for healing to take place.
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