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Phenom Strasburg to have Tommy John surgery

There has never been another baseball phenom like Stephen Strasburg. He has stood out from that pack in the way he's been hyped and praised by the media, teammates and both current and former big league players. But today, Strasburg will face the same fate as countless hot prospects and up-and-coming stars that came before him. Strasburg will undergo Tommy John surgery and will be out of action for 12 to 18 months.

Strasburg has suffered major damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. The list of players who have bounced back from Tommy John surgery is long and distinguished. Strasburg's youth must be seen as an additional cause for positive hope that the 22-year-old will be able to bounce back have a long and successful career.

However, not too long after the Cincinnati Reds moved rookie starting pitcher Mike Leake to the bullpen to try and help save his arm; and Strasburg's surgery will only add to the debate of how to handle young pitcher's workload.

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