Philadelphia Phillies Shut Down Cliff Lee Due To Elbow Discomfort

Ruh Roh.

Yesterday, an MRI was performed on Philadelphia Phillies Ace Cliff Lee and his troublesome elbow.

Per CSN Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury, the 36-year-old left-hander made it through his spring training start on Thursday “pain free”, but, “felt discomfort” the following morning. The good news is that the MRI reportedly shows “only mild inflammation” and “no structural damage.” The bad news is that the grim reaper of season-ending surgeries, Dr. James Andrews, has been called in by the franchise for a second opinion.

Whenever you hear the words “James Andrews” …

and “elbow” in the same sentence…

It usually results in…

Lee started only 13 games last season because of a strained flexor pronator tendon, and in the report: Phillies GM Ruben Amaro alludes to the current issue being in the same area of the elbow. Thus, even if it isn’t the UCL, there’s obviously something bad going on in there that is a major issue.

When healthy, Lee is one of the most dominating pitchers in the MLB — in the three years prior to his injury last season, Cliff was 37-25 with an eye-popping 2.80 ERA in 93 starts. The problem is:

1. He’s not healthy. Last season, he recorded only 81.2 Innings Pitched — and his ERA ballooned to 3.65.
2. He’s owed $25 Million this season. The trade market for the aging veteran was thinning quickly before this, but, the Phillies balked at trade offers when they had him — hoping they could ride Cliff to a postseason appearance. Now, the well may have completely dried up — and the word is out re: Lee’s durability issues. Who is going to want to acquire this $25 Million bag of damaged goods, without having the Phillies pay a majority of his salary?

It’s been a rough week for MLBaces, as the Texas Rangers just announced that Yu Darvish  may need immediate Tommy John Surgery on his elbow — ending his season.

Long Story Short: Father Time remains undefeated, and elbows suck.