Earlier this week, Seattle Mariners closer David Aardsma was diagnosed with a grade 2 sprain of the UCL in his elbow. He was immediately shipped off to Los Angeles to meet with a certain Dr. Yocum, who would give him a second opinion and help decide where Aardsma will go from here. Would Aardsma need surgery, or would he try for rest and rehabilitation instead?

I'll let Aardsma give you the answer:

It was a good trip down to LA. Gonna rehab for a month and start throwing again after :)

So Aardsma will try to strengthen his elbow and get back on a throwing schedule in a month. There's no guarantee that he'll be able to avoid ligament replacement surgery in the future, but he's avoiding it for now, and may not need it at all. I don't know how effective the rehab route usually is, but it wouldn't be an option if it didn't work.

Aardsma's still out indefinitely and might not pitch this season, but given today's report, there is at least a chance. In the meantime, Brandon League will continue to serve as the Mariners' closer, despite his recent hiccups. Or recent projectile vomits, I guess, since hiccups are gentle and only mildly unpleasant.