Rafael Betancourt Has Complete UCL Tear; Career Might Be Over

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Even though we anticipated bad news, this is still a really tough blow. It’s just sad, frankly. Rafael Betancourt‘s MRI reveals a complete UCL tear. For many pitchers this would require Tommy John surgery and then over a year of rehab. For the 38-year-old Betancourt, however, that route is not an option.

So the PRP treatment will be something of a long shot, but it looks more and more like Betancourt’s last pitch as a professional pitcher will be the fastball on the outside corner that Michael Young rolled over into a game-tying infield single. Which is brutal.

Betancourt had this sobering quote to offer (via the Denver Post):

"I have talked to my family, they know it’s possible that I might not pitch again.”"

In terms of the Rockies bullpen, this only magnifies their need to add another arm in the back of the bullpen. But the more important point to focus on here is the fact that Betancourt’s quietly solid career very well might have come to a screeching and unfair end.

By all accounts, Betancourt is the kind of guy who will take this ending in stride and handle his exit from the game graciously. If that is the case, it goes to show the presence the Rockies will be lacking on their team is his career is over.