Why Isn't Seattle Mariners Pitcher Bryce Miller Getting Elbow Surgery?

Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller is now on the injured list for the second time in a month. It's listed as right elbow inflammation for Miller, who is battling a bone spur in that elbow. He's spoken of discomfort all season and the first injured list stint, which featured a cortisone shot, didn't work as hoped.

He's now taken the step of getting a PRP injection and will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks if all goes well. However, several fans and pundits have wondered why Miller hasn't gotten surgery to remove the spur, even if it costs him the rest of the season.

Speaking on Friday, general manager Justin Hollander addressed that with the media:

"So the conversations about surgery or no surgery, that's between the player and the doctor. The Mariners don't really get involved in that. The order of operation is that Bryce sees our doctors and they make a recommendation. Often times, particularly with orthopedic injuries, players will want a second opinion. Dr. (Keith) Meister is one of the best, if not the best, orthopedists in the country... The player then goes to see that doctor, the doctor and Bryce conversation and then they tell us what they decide, so in Dr. Meister's estimation, and in our doctor's estimation, the PRP was the better way to go. We don't want to have surgery just to have surgery, so that's how that conversation went. It's not really up to us to say 'we think you should have surgery.' It's a human being and we're not in the business of telling human beings to have surgeries that their doctors say they don't need right now."

After going 12-8 with a sterling 2.94 ERA last season, Miller is just 2-5 with a 5.73 ERA.

The Mariners are 34-34 entering play on Saturday and will take on the Cleveland Guardians at 6:40 p.m. PT.