Diamond Cuts: The Doc Is In

Dillon Gee

The Mets right-hander could be done for the season after undergoing surgery to repair artery damage in his throwing shoulder. Gee was originally treated for a blood clot that had developed in the area. Further investigation revealed the damage to the blood vessel itself, leading to a second procedure intended to fix the issue. Blood clots and artery damage are serious issues and should not be taken lightly. However they are not uncommon in overhead athletes, specifically pitchers.

A high number of nerves and blood vessels follow a path from the neck, down past the clavicle, and into the armpit area, before branching down into the remainder of the arm. The area from the clavicle to the armpit is tightly compacted, leaving the nerves and vessels susceptible to injury. Gee's condition is somewhat to the thoracic outlet syndrome plaguing St. Louis' Chris Carpenter. However, instead of a nerve getting compressed, it's an artery. The resulting

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