Brandon Clarke surgery

[Goldfan]

I’ve lived through
Alan Benes “shoulder issue”
Mark Mulder “nerve impingement issue”
Chris Carpenter retiring because of “nerve issue” that if he continues to pitch might have paralyzed his arm
So dismissing a “circulation issue due to aneurysm” in pitching arm of the newly acquired main prospect which teams didn’t reveal this issue and surgery required at trade date……is foolish

Everything is a conspiracy.

There’s no conspiracy. Bloom traded for a pitcher who had numbing in his arm due to aneurysm requiring surgery. Was this announced the date the trade was finalized? BDW sent 20mil for this player and a sub .500 pitcher with a 5.00ERA…..for the REBUILD

[scoutyjones2]

St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Brandon Clarke underwent surgery in January 2026 to address severe, long-term circulation issues in his fingers, caused by an aneurysm in his left arm. The procedure aims to alleviate numbness and, following recovery, he will be slowly eased into throwing programs during spring training.
Key Details Regarding the Injury:
Cause: The issues were identified as an aneurysm in his arm causing circulation problems and numbness, which had plagued him with blisters since starting his professional career.
Procedure: Surgery was performed to address the, and he is now focused on range-of-motion exercises and regaining strength in his arm.
Impact: The surgery will delay his start to spring training, making his 2026 season debut uncertain.

This doesn’t sound so great. The one real talent returned in those Boston trades has a circulation issue in his pitching arm.

Oh well. I guess we knew this. Right?

I don’t know if we knew about this but one of the criticisms about the trade was his injury record including blisters. Hopefully this procedure works.

Blisters are one thing……a circulation issue caused by an aneurysm requiring surgery is another.

The circulatory issue was a contributing factor to the blisters. He got the procedure to solve the problem.

WUT?

The problem is nobody here ever reads anything. They just make stuff up. Here you go. I'll do your reading for you.

"Per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's reporting this morning, Clarke, whom Baseball America has as the Cardinals' sixth-ranked prospect and just outside their top 100 prospects in the game, underwent a procedure this offseason in order to fix the issues he has had with numbness in his fingers and recurring blisters. After working with the Cardinals' medical staff, they "got some answers," and the procedure addressed an aneurysm in his left arm by going through his armpit to do so."

Circulation, has no connection to formation of blisters.

That runs counter to the reporting. Show your work doctor.

Edit: I'll give you a hint. You're right about the formation of blisters but that's not the issue.

Hey dip [shirt]...this is what I was responding to

The circulatory issue was a contributing factor to the blisters. He got the procedure to solve the problem.

Blisters on a pitcher’s hand form from repetitive friction + heat + moisture breaking down the skin. Pitchers are uniquely vulnerable because of how often and how forcefully their fingers contact the seams of the baseball.

[DwaininAztec]

The circulatory issue was a contributing factor to the blisters. He got the procedure to solve the problem.

The circulatory issue did indeed contribute to the damage which caused blistering and was keeping the blisters from healing properly. This caused the extended time off while the blisters healed.

[scoutyjones2]

The circulatory issue was a contributing factor to the blisters. He got the procedure to solve the problem.

The circulatory issue did indeed contribute to the damage which caused blistering and was keeping the blisters from healing properly. This caused the extended time off while the blisters healed.

No. Blisters are formed from friction, heat and moisture

[Goldfan]

Does anyone think that only blisters are what should be concerned about with an aneurysm and circulatory issues in the young mans pitching arm?

[sikeston bulldog2]

The circulatory issue was a contributing factor to the blisters. He got the procedure to solve the problem.

The circulatory issue did indeed contribute to the damage which caused blistering and was keeping the blisters from healing properly. This caused the extended time off while the blisters healed.

I can see a level of numbness causing a sensation issue, thus a tighter grip. Thus blisters. Hence slow heal.

What I don’t know is, how to fix an aneurysm like that, and how they are sure it will work. This can’t be a common procedure.

Then did we know about condition- probably yes. Did we know surgery? In early January? Probably. Do we know he will recover- no. Will he be competitive with a competitive injury: probably not.

Did we even give ourselves a chance.

[General]

The circulatory issue was a contributing factor to the blisters. He got the procedure to solve the problem.

The circulatory issue did indeed contribute to the damage which caused blistering and was keeping the blisters from healing properly. This caused the extended time off while the blisters healed.

No. Blisters are formed from friction, heat and moisture

It'd be a lot easier to have a convo with you if you weren't such a richard all the time (and wrong). Dwain is smart enough to understand the problem is with the healing of the blisters and not the formation of them. Poor circulation reduces bloodflow to the hand which impacts the healing. Hence, it's a contributing factor to them and he gets the procedure to fix them.

See how easy that is? Now G[od] F[orgives] Y[ou].

Edit: God Forgives You. Lolz. I love it! Great job mods!

[scoutyjones2]

The circulatory issue was a contributing factor to the blisters. He got the procedure to solve the problem.

The circulatory issue did indeed contribute to the damage which caused blistering and was keeping the blisters from healing properly. This caused the extended time off while the blisters healed.

No. Blisters are formed from friction, heat and moisture

It'd be a lot easier to have a convo with you if you weren't such a richard all the time (and wrong). Dwain is smart enough to understand the problem is with the healing of the blisters and not the formation of them. Poor circulation reduces bloodflow to the hand which impacts the healing. Hence, it's a contributing factor to them and he gets the procedure to fix them.

See how easy that is? Now G[od] F[orgives] Y[ou].

Edit: God Forgives You. Lolz. I love it! Great job mods!

Horse [shirt].

That's just baloney. These weren't blood blisters or ulcers, they were blisters formed in the upper derma of the skin. LoL

Jumping Jesus in a pogo stick

[Cusecards]

1) Who says the Cards didn’t know about his issues?
2) It sounds like Clarke conferred with the Cards Training Staff after the deal. Was he supposed to confer with the Cards Training Staff BEFORE the deal??
3) It also sounds like he is feeling better post-surgery.
4) Is there a rush to get this guy on the mound opening day of ST?

I don’t know about any of you but I get a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that Dr. Do-little the OP is on the case.
Looking forward to another FIRE HOT DONNY thread any time now.

[zuck698]

I really think that some Cardinals fans have the right to be upset that the team has traded away two of their best players, and a future Hall of Famer for a group of often injured lottery ticket prospects, and an often injured free agent signing. Just as other Cardinal fans can be ok with moving these players, along with millions of dollars for said prospects, and an upside starter, when he is healthy. There are obviously two different camps here with different opinions. Just as there seems to be two different camps when it came to the Cardinals’ ability to compete before these trades happened. One camp saw a .500 team that was going no where. The other camp saw a .500 team that with two or three key additions could be a 90+ win team. We’ll never really know which camp was correct, because the veteran players are gone, and possibly more to come. We will have to wait and see how the prospects turn out. Some longer than others.
With the Katie Woo article, it should erase any doubt as to what the main goal has been all along. Reduce payroll!
Where doubt does remain, is where will the DeWitts set the budget after the CBA is done. Again, we have two camps. One thinks it will never go back to where it was and the other camp thinks it will, eventually. On this we will all just have to wait and see.
What I think both camps can mostly agree on is that the Cardinals aren’t going to be competing for a championship any time soon.

This sums it up pretty nicely. Much like the current donkeys vs. elephants today! Not much room for debate by either side.

[renostl]

I really think that some Cardinals fans have the right to be upset that the team has traded away two of their best players, and a future Hall of Famer for a group of often injured lottery ticket prospects, and an often injured free agent signing. Just as other Cardinal fans can be ok with moving these players, along with millions of dollars for said prospects, and an upside starter, when he is healthy. There are obviously two different camps here with different opinions. Just as there seems to be two different camps when it came to the Cardinals’ ability to compete before these trades happened. One camp saw a .500 team that was going no where. The other camp saw a .500 team that with two or three key additions could be a 90+ win team. We’ll never really know which camp was correct, because the veteran players are gone, and possibly more to come. We will have to wait and see how the prospects turn out. Some longer than others.
With the Katie Woo article, it should erase any doubt as to what the main goal has been all along. Reduce payroll!
Where doubt does remain, is where will the DeWitts set the budget after the CBA is done. Again, we have two camps. One thinks it will never go back to where it was and the other camp thinks it will, eventually. On this we will all just have to wait and see.
What I think both camps can mostly agree on is that the Cardinals aren’t going to be competing for a championship any time soon.

Maybe things are not so black and white. There were 3 deals here.
Each one was slightly different and what happens if each player was individually left on the team.

IMO
NA wanted out for at least 18 months. My opinion there unlikely to change.

Players that make more need to produce more or be surrounded by players producing more.
That's not the case or we wouldn't be calling them the Cardinals best players.
Being the best player on the team means less than ARE they producing up to the
standard set by the contract? At catcher WC almost did, not 1B. Almost because
he was another player that doesn't show up to work as often as he should averaging 115 games a season
in St. louis, normal for his career, with only 2 seasons of contract left and at a position that blocks
the 1B/DH/C group of players.

SG probably represents the player that could provide the most production to his position. The issues
are he was only 1 guy when the Cards need several.
He's essentially a rental and was owed a large $40M for '26 and '27 combined. Nobody here would
want the Cards to sign 1 36 y/o SP to a 1-year contract at $40 and then watch him walk at the end of
this 2026 season.

A Flawed roster and the 3 traded weren't and can't be part of a solution for different reasons.
Sure, it's decreasing payroll. It is also cleaning the roster of players that aren't a part of
the fix. The same would be true if each made less. Guys at the end of a career naturally are on larger
contracts.

IF BD is not a projected part of the team past 2027, he should also be dealt. He another player
that is averaging 122 games a season the last 3 seasons. Nootbaar does 120g, Gorman 112g.
3 previous building pieces that always miss a month plus. All 3 easily recognized with limits.
Add Walker and his question marks not really a roster to go all in with. All need to improve,
hopefully they do. BD is at his peak though. He won't gain speed or XBH.

Katie Woo gave a zero answer. 50:50 when only a single outcome is possible.
I think he's gone. With this deal hopefully a small part of the fix returns.

[General]

The circulatory issue was a contributing factor to the blisters. He got the procedure to solve the problem.

The circulatory issue did indeed contribute to the damage which caused blistering and was keeping the blisters from healing properly. This caused the extended time off while the blisters healed.

No. Blisters are formed from friction, heat and moisture

It'd be a lot easier to have a convo with you if you weren't such a richard all the time (and wrong). Dwain is smart enough to understand the problem is with the healing of the blisters and not the formation of them. Poor circulation reduces bloodflow to the hand which impacts the healing. Hence, it's a contributing factor to them and he gets the procedure to fix them.

See how easy that is? Now G[od] F[orgives] Y[ou].

Edit: God Forgives You. Lolz. I love it! Great job mods!

Horse [shirt].

That's just baloney. These weren't blood blisters or ulcers, they were blisters formed in the upper derma of the skin. LoL

Jumping Jesus in a pogo stick

I gotta give you credit for doubling down on stupid. See below.

What happened

Clarke recently underwent a surgical procedure to address poor circulation in his fingers that had been affecting him since entering professional baseball.

The circulation problems were linked to an aneurysm in his left arm — an abnormal dilation of a blood vessel that can disrupt smooth blood flow.

Those issues manifested as numbness in his fingers and persistent blister problems while pitching.

Why this is medically relevant

This is how Clarke’s situation was interpreted by the Cardinals’ medical staff and reported in the press:

Vascular compromise can affect fingertip health and healing
If blood flow is impaired — for example by an aneurysm that alters circulation — the soft tissues in the hand (especially fingertips) may not get optimal oxygen and nutrients. That can lead to slower healing and make the skin more susceptible to breakdown with the repetitive friction pitchers experience from seams. Blister problems that don’t heal normally plus numbness would point clinicians toward a neurovascular cause rather than just mechanical friction alone.

Numbness is a red flag for neurovascular issues
Pure blisters typically don’t cause numbness. When numbness appears alongside blistering and poor healing, that suggests something is affecting nerves and/or circulation — exactly what Clarke was reported to be dealing with.

Does the surgery fix it?

The aim of Clarke’s surgery was to correct the underlying vascular problem (the aneurysm) that was disrupting normal circulation and likely contributing to both numbness and the persistent blistering pattern. Reports indicate that is expected to alleviate those issues — and also help his ability to control pitches, since fingertip sensation and consistent grip are critical for command.

So yes — it’s reasonable and expected that addressing the aneurysm could permanently resolve the circulation-related symptoms that contributed to his, quote, “nagging blister issues and numbness” rather than having to treat blisters as an isolated issue. In other words:

The blisters themselves weren’t necessarily the root problem.

The vascular issue was.

Fixing that issue gives the best chance of long-term improvement.

However, as with all surgeries, complete success can vary by individual and recovery — but the medical logic is sound.

[Goldfan]

1) Who says the Cards didn’t know about his issues?
2) It sounds like Clarke conferred with the Cards Training Staff after the deal. Was he supposed to confer with the Cards Training Staff BEFORE the deal??
3) It also sounds like he is feeling better post-surgery.
4) Is there a rush to get this guy on the mound opening day of ST?

I don’t know about any of you but I get a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that Dr. Do-little the OP is on the case.
Looking forward to another FIRE HOT DONNY thread any time now.

Cuse “its a good thing that the Cards traded for the main prospect in the deal…….who had a circulatory issue caused by an aneurysm in his pitching arm.”
Keep it coming Cuse. Keep it coming

[Hoosier59]

I really think that some Cardinals fans have the right to be upset that the team has traded away two of their best players, and a future Hall of Famer for a group of often injured lottery ticket prospects, and an often injured free agent signing. Just as other Cardinal fans can be ok with moving these players, along with millions of dollars for said prospects, and an upside starter, when he is healthy. There are obviously two different camps here with different opinions. Just as there seems to be two different camps when it came to the Cardinals’ ability to compete before these trades happened. One camp saw a .500 team that was going no where. The other camp saw a .500 team that with two or three key additions could be a 90+ win team. We’ll never really know which camp was correct, because the veteran players are gone, and possibly more to come. We will have to wait and see how the prospects turn out. Some longer than others.
With the Katie Woo article, it should erase any doubt as to what the main goal has been all along. Reduce payroll!
Where doubt does remain, is where will the DeWitts set the budget after the CBA is done. Again, we have two camps. One thinks it will never go back to where it was and the other camp thinks it will, eventually. On this we will all just have to wait and see.
What I think both camps can mostly agree on is that the Cardinals aren’t going to be competing for a championship any time soon.

Maybe things are not so black and white. There were 3 deals here.
Each one was slightly different and what happens if each player was individually left on the team.

IMO
NA wanted out for at least 18 months. My opinion there unlikely to change.

Players that make more need to produce more or be surrounded by players producing more.
That's not the case or we wouldn't be calling them the Cardinals best players.
Being the best player on the team means less than ARE they producing up to the
standard set by the contract? At catcher WC almost did, not 1B. Almost because
he was another player that doesn't show up to work as often as he should averaging 115 games a season
in St. louis, normal for his career, with only 2 seasons of contract left and at a position that blocks
the 1B/DH/C group of players.

SG probably represents the player that could provide the most production to his position. The issues
are he was only 1 guy when the Cards need several.
He's essentially a rental and was owed a large $40M for '26 and '27 combined. Nobody here would
want the Cards to sign 1 36 y/o SP to a 1-year contract at $40 and then watch him walk at the end of
this 2026 season.

A Flawed roster and the 3 traded weren't and can't be part of a solution for different reasons.
Sure, it's decreasing payroll. It is also cleaning the roster of players that aren't a part of
the fix. The same would be true if each made less. Guys at the end of a career naturally are on larger
contracts.

IF BD is not a projected part of the team past 2027, he should also be dealt. He another player
that is averaging 122 games a season the last 3 seasons. Nootbaar does 120g, Gorman 112g.
3 previous building pieces that always miss a month plus. All 3 easily recognized with limits.
Add Walker and his question marks not really a roster to go all in with. All need to improve,
hopefully they do. BD is at his peak though. He won't gain speed or XBH.

Katie Woo gave a zero answer. 50:50 when only a single outcome is possible.
I think he's gone. With this deal hopefully a small part of the fix returns.

Personally, I’m not upset any of the three were traded. I agree that they probably needed to be. However, because of the deal Mo signed Gray to, it made him virtually worth nothing in return unless the Cardinals paid most of his salary! Which they did!
Arenado, there’s no mystery here either. Cardinals are pretty much just paying him to play for Arizona.
Contreras, however, I don’t understand paying down his contract as much as they did. Oh, I know, to get a better return, but did they?
Yet to be determined.
Basically I was just stating the stance on the two different factions, but truth is both are partly right and both are partly wrong!
Woo more or less said it was to reduce salary, and that’s what they’ve done. That was the goal! Not to accumulate prospects! It’s a total reset until after the CBA is settled. Until then, DeWitt has quit trying.

[Cusecards]

Don’t know about the rest of you?
But:
While I am thrilled to be able to read “inside info” posts from Dr. Do-little the OP I guess I’ll have to do it from the edge of my roof(despite the cold!).
It appears that all hope is lost??
In the meantime...I’ll continue to pull for the Cards to turn things around while also praying that Brandon Clarke somehow comes out of his post-surgery COMA!
I know....they said he WAS feeling better and the Med staff was encouraged....but Dr. Do-little apparently borrowed some medical books and it doesn’t bode well.
In the meantime I’ll try to remain positive while looking forward to more OP medical tidbits and another FIRE HOT DONNY thread.
Hang in there CT!

[Clubmaker2]

I’ve lived through
Alan Benes “shoulder issue”
Mark Mulder “nerve impingement issue”
Chris Carpenter retiring because of “nerve issue” that if he continues to pitch might have paralyzed his arm
So dismissing a “circulation issue due to aneurysm” in pitching arm of the newly acquired main prospect which teams didn’t reveal this issue and surgery required at trade date……is foolish

Everything is a conspiracy.

There’s no conspiracy. Bloom traded for a pitcher who had numbing in his arm due to aneurysm requiring surgery. Was this announced the date the trade was finalized? BDW sent 20mil for this player and a sub .500 pitcher with a 5.00ERA…..for the REBUILD

this guy pitched 40 innings in a year once professionally?

Blisters not uncommon to pitchers. Golfers. Tennis players? So as for this surgery fixing the issue... trying to recall the story of any athlete whose blister problem was cured by such a surgery. Any one heard of this on any other pro athletes blisters? Seems a little bit hopeful.