A method for preparing tyrosine derived polyarylates includes combining a desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine ethyl ester, a desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine benzylester, succinic acid and a catalyst in a flask to produce a first mixture. Methylene chloride is added to the first mixture to produce a first suspension. Diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIPC) is added to the first mixture to produce a first solution. The first solution is added to a non-solvent to produce a precipitate. The precipitate is dissolved in methylene chloride to form a polymer solution. The polymer solution is blended with a slurry to produce polymer shreds. The polymer shreds are blended with a second slurry to produce a tyrosine derived polyarylate.