Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee said Tuesday that he will try to pitch through an elbow injury instead of having surgery that would end his season and possibly his career. This is the same injury from last year and has the same diagnosis. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, this could end Lee’s career. The ace left-hander made the decision after a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews. In a statement he said If Lee was to need surgery, the timetable for a return would be 6-8 months (as opposed to a year or longer for Tommy John surgery).
Because of his injury Lee might be head for surgery. He might be headed for retirement. But he made it clear that if the common flexor tendon near his left elbow keeps firing lightning bolts up his arm, “then, obviously, I’m not going to keep pitching.”
This is noticeable that Lee was the 2008 AL CY Young Award winner with Cleveland. A four-time All-Star, he is 143-91 with a 3.52 ERA in 13 seasons.
According to the doctor’s report General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he’s “not terribly optimistic” that Lee can return to pitching without pain but there’s a possibility he can. Surgery would be the next step if Lee can’t pitch without discomfort.
In his career at Philadelphia Phillies Lee, 36, is entering the final guaranteed season of a $120 million, five-year contract. The deal includes a $27.5 million option for 2016 with a $12.5 million buyout, a year that would become guaranteed if he pitches 200 innings and doesn’t finish the season on the disabled list with a left elbow or shoulder injury.
Source from the team Lee, who started only 13 games last season due to an elbow strain, is in the final guaranteed year of $120 million contract. The 2016 team option at $27.5 million becomes guaranteed should Lee pitch 200 innings this season.
In an announcement where the pitcher said “I’m not going to go out there in pain to where something bad can potentially happen.”That doesn’t make sense to me. So I’m going to play as long as I comfortably can. When it’s uncomfortable to play and it hurts to play, then it’s not worth it.”