What was shaping up as an outstanding early season for two of last year’s best Vancouver Canadians
alumni has quickly turned to crap. Though no official announcement has
been made as of yet (not that I can find, anyway), I’m told that 4th
round 2005 draftee Jimmy Shull will sit out the season after blowing
out his elbow, and Mike Massaro will take a month or more off after
breaking a thumb knuckle while sliding into second.

‘The Shullacker’ will undergo Tommy John surgery shortly to repair his
ailing elbow, which will take the wind out of the sails of many an
Oakland fan still smiling after he struck out 11 batters in 6.1 innings
in his Stockton Ports High-A ball debut last week. Shull was dominant
in Vancouver last year, striking out 81 in 73 innings while notching a
4-3, 2.47 record.

Massaro meanwhile had been in fine form in Low-A Kane County, carrying
an average of .326 and an on base percentage of .415 before getting his
thumb tangled in a slide. Massaro hit his first home run of the season
last week (which is something considering the guy weighs 160lbs soaking
wet), and is expected to sit out something between 4-6 weeks, though
I’m told he believes he could play tomorrow if Oakland would let him,
but the big club doesn’t like to take risks with injury, especially
with players that look to have a long term future.

But not all the news is bad on the injury sheet - Scout.com reports that last year’s NWL ERA leading pitcher, Mike ‘Mr Blonde’ Madsen, will come off the DL to pitch for Stockton tomorrow.