Article List

Locations

Contact Us

Phone:
Main Office
(818) 901-6600

Bakersfield Office
(661) 328-5565

Website:
www.scoi.com

Email:
moreinfo@scoi.com

Bakersfield MLB Draftees Overcome Injuries

Brent Morel and Luke Yoder – two former high school standouts from Bakersfield – were excited to hear their names called during the Major League Baseball draft in June. They both have had to overcome debilitating injuries to reach this point.

Morel, a third baseman, and Yoder, an outfielder, have played baseball with or against each other their entire lives. In Little League, high school (Morel, Centennial High School and Yoder at Liberty), and as teammates the past two years at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

On June 5, they shared in the excitement of being drafted. The Chicago White Sox selected Morel in the third round, while the Minnesota Twins called Yoder’s name in the 33rd round.

Both young men have had outstanding careers, and both have suffered bumps, bruises, breaks, and tears along the way. Each time, Dr. Christopher Hamilton, a sports medicine specialist with Southern California Orthopedic Institute (SCOI) and former associate team physician for the Dodgers, has helped them bounce back.

Morel tore his ACL playing football as a senior in high school. An ACL injury can often take up to a year to recover from, but Morel was able to return to baseball that same school year in the spring.

Last season at Cal Poly, Morel slightly dislocated his shoulder while hitting a home run. He played through the pain the rest of the year, and then underwent rehabilitation and is now completely healthy.

Yoder’s list of injuries include a broken humerus, a torn labrum and partial rotator cuff tear, and most recently a right foot injury while sliding into second base. For treatment of his foot injury, Yoder wore a walking boot for a week. Dr. Hamilton then fitted Yoder with a plate on the bottom of his shoe that transferred the weight and pressure from the injured part of his foot to the healthy part.

Morel and Yoder both feel fortunate to get past these injuries and have the opportunity to continue their careers.

Dr. Hamilton sees patients in Bakersfield. To schedule an appointment with him for a sports injury or any orthopedic injury, contact SCOI at (661) 328-5565.

Send this Article to a Friend

Your Name:
Your E-Mail:
Recipient E-Mail Addresses   · at least one ·

1.
2.
3.
4.