The Rockies’ Juan Nicasio suffered a frightening injury during the 2011 season when he was hit in the head with a line drive off the bat of the Nationals’ Ian Desmond, fell backward and fractured his neck.

It was an inspiring story when he came back and joined the Rockies’ rotation to begin the 2012 season. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury trying to field a ground ball against the Dodgers in early June and has been on the DL since then.

Now, he’s had surgery and won’t return this year:

Nicasio out for season after 4 bone chips removed from left knee.Explains why fluid kept building up

— Troy Renck, Rockies (@TroyRenck) July 16, 2012

This sort of surgery is fairly common and it wouldn’t seem to get in the way of Nicasio returning to pitch for the Rockies in 2013.

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