Post by Fish Troll on Mar 3, 2007 12:05:27 GMT -5
JUPITER - Marlins starting pitcher Josh Johnson might miss at least the first month of the season and could be lost for the year because of possible nerve damage in his right arm, sources said Wednesday.
Johnson was scheduled to have an MRI Wednesday because of lingering pain that has prevented him from throwing at full speed since September.
The preliminary diagnosis is a swollen ulnar nerve. Johnson said he was told by the team's medical staff that the ailment could be similar to the nerve damage that forced Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny out for two months of the 2004 season after he was traded from Florida.
"It's been very frustrating,'' Johnson said. "I come in here every day - ëAm I going to throw? If not, what is it? What's going on?' It feels pretty good but we'll rub on it a little bit and it'll feel sore.'' Johnson, who'd been penciled in as the No. 2 starter, finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting after going 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA last season.
But his arm troubles began Sept. 12 when he was lifted after five shutout innings against the New York Mets at Dolphin Stadium. In that game, he sat through an 82-minute rain delay before returning to the mound.
At the time, team officials were angry at then-manager Joe Girardi for bringing Johnson back into the game, a decision that factored into the team firing Girardi a day after the season ended.
On Jan. 19, after he arrived in Jupiter to get a head start on his preparations, he felt discomfort in his biceps/triceps area during a throwing session on flat ground.
He was examined in Alabama on Jan. 31 by Dr. James Andrews, the renowned orthopedic surgeon, but an MRI revealed no structural damage.
"I am open-minded,'' Johnson said. "I guess it could be anything. As soon as they find out what it is, it'll be easier to treat. I hear that if it's a nerve, it's a little bit tougher.'' As of now, the first four starters will be left-handers Dontrelle Willis and Scott Olsen and right-handers Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco. Sanchez, who will make his first Grapefruit League start on Saturday, has been bothered by shin splints in both legs. He had an MRI on his shoulder in January, but he said his arm feels fine.
If Johnson is out for an extended period of time, the Marlins could bring up prospects such as Gaby Hernandez or Chris Volstad earlier than the organization had planned - but only if those pitchers show the necessary progress. Hernandez should start the season in Class AA Carolina and Volstad at high-Class A Jupiter.
"We like the guys to have Double-A experience here. We feel that's our launching pad,'' General Manager Larry Beinfest said. "If you look at our history, you can tell most of our guys are coming from Double-A to the big leagues. They're not coming from (low Class A) Greensboro or Jupiter." For now, the Marlins will use spring training to decide on a fifth starter in their camp.
"They know. They're not dumb. They know what's going on, and J.J. might be a question," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "They know there is an opening.'' Three candidates pitched in Thursday's game against Baltimore with mixed results. Right-hander Wes Obermueller started the game and allowed two runs in two innings. Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit allowed three runs in two innings. Left-hander Chris George gave up an unearned run on one hit in in one inning.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, another candidate, could make his Grapefruit League debut next Friday with an inning of work.
Mitre opened the 2006 season in the starting rotation but left his seventh start May 12 after throwing three pitches, the first sign of shoulder problems that would bother him all season.
He didn't return until Aug. 10 when he made the first of eight relief appearances that month before being shut down.
"I am very eager to get out there, but at the same time I understand a little bit better about what I have to do, so there's no rush,'' Mitre said.
Johnson was scheduled to have an MRI Wednesday because of lingering pain that has prevented him from throwing at full speed since September.
The preliminary diagnosis is a swollen ulnar nerve. Johnson said he was told by the team's medical staff that the ailment could be similar to the nerve damage that forced Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny out for two months of the 2004 season after he was traded from Florida.
"It's been very frustrating,'' Johnson said. "I come in here every day - ëAm I going to throw? If not, what is it? What's going on?' It feels pretty good but we'll rub on it a little bit and it'll feel sore.'' Johnson, who'd been penciled in as the No. 2 starter, finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting after going 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA last season.
But his arm troubles began Sept. 12 when he was lifted after five shutout innings against the New York Mets at Dolphin Stadium. In that game, he sat through an 82-minute rain delay before returning to the mound.
At the time, team officials were angry at then-manager Joe Girardi for bringing Johnson back into the game, a decision that factored into the team firing Girardi a day after the season ended.
On Jan. 19, after he arrived in Jupiter to get a head start on his preparations, he felt discomfort in his biceps/triceps area during a throwing session on flat ground.
He was examined in Alabama on Jan. 31 by Dr. James Andrews, the renowned orthopedic surgeon, but an MRI revealed no structural damage.
"I am open-minded,'' Johnson said. "I guess it could be anything. As soon as they find out what it is, it'll be easier to treat. I hear that if it's a nerve, it's a little bit tougher.'' As of now, the first four starters will be left-handers Dontrelle Willis and Scott Olsen and right-handers Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco. Sanchez, who will make his first Grapefruit League start on Saturday, has been bothered by shin splints in both legs. He had an MRI on his shoulder in January, but he said his arm feels fine.
If Johnson is out for an extended period of time, the Marlins could bring up prospects such as Gaby Hernandez or Chris Volstad earlier than the organization had planned - but only if those pitchers show the necessary progress. Hernandez should start the season in Class AA Carolina and Volstad at high-Class A Jupiter.
"We like the guys to have Double-A experience here. We feel that's our launching pad,'' General Manager Larry Beinfest said. "If you look at our history, you can tell most of our guys are coming from Double-A to the big leagues. They're not coming from (low Class A) Greensboro or Jupiter." For now, the Marlins will use spring training to decide on a fifth starter in their camp.
"They know. They're not dumb. They know what's going on, and J.J. might be a question," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "They know there is an opening.'' Three candidates pitched in Thursday's game against Baltimore with mixed results. Right-hander Wes Obermueller started the game and allowed two runs in two innings. Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit allowed three runs in two innings. Left-hander Chris George gave up an unearned run on one hit in in one inning.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, another candidate, could make his Grapefruit League debut next Friday with an inning of work.
Mitre opened the 2006 season in the starting rotation but left his seventh start May 12 after throwing three pitches, the first sign of shoulder problems that would bother him all season.
He didn't return until Aug. 10 when he made the first of eight relief appearances that month before being shut down.
"I am very eager to get out there, but at the same time I understand a little bit better about what I have to do, so there's no rush,'' Mitre said.
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