RADIO
If Cliff Lee has to go under the knife again, it could end the southpaw’s career. The Philadelphia Phillies’ starting pitcher was shut down over the weekend due to renewed concerns about his left elbow.
Lee, 36, had his season cut in half in 2014 because of a flexor pronator strain in his left elbow. On Thursday, Lee held the Houston Astros to two scoreless innings, but reported discomfort in the days afterward.
By Monday, it was reported that Lee is mulling elbow surgery, and that Dr. James Andrews will be providing a second opinion on the injury in the coming days.
Lee is due to make $25 million this year, with a $12.5 million contract buyout in 2016. The Phillies are in a rebuilding phase, and for a team that was poised to trade Lee this season, this a crushing blow.
Other teams looking to bolster their rotation will have tremendous skepticism about the former Cy Young Award winner and how long his elbow will last, which is why the Phillies have their hands tied in this situation, even if Lee avoids surgery and ends up pitching this season.
