With so many injured and rehabbing
players, the St. Louis Cardinals are now releasing medical statements as to
their status. The current M*A*S*H list includes four starting pitchers, two
relievers and an outfielder.
Beyond the basic report provided
by the team, the comments and ratings are mine.
Green =
player progressing toward return on his predefined
schedule
Yellow = status unclear – return timing
undefined
Red
= new problem -
impact unknown
Starting
pitchers
* JOEL PINIERO - right
shoulder capsulitis - progressing well and plans to throw a bullpen session on
Monday. Timing of return to action unclear, but with only three spring innings in one game, being ready to start the season seems less likely with each passing day. Code = yellow.
* MATT
CLEMENT - throwing session to hitters Sunday. May pitch in a spring training game and
may not. No way of gauging his effectiveness on return from major shoulder
surgeries until he actually pitches. Code =
yellow.
* MARK MULDER - throwing a
bullpen Sunday. Return estimated for May. Code = green.
* CHRIS CARPENTER - scheduled
for bullpen session on Monday.
Possible July return. Code = green.
Relief
pitchers
* JOSH KINNEY - throwing a
bullpen Sunday. Reported to be a week or two behind Mulder. Code = green.
* TYLER JOHNSON - left
shoulder tendinitis - will be examined by head team physician Dr. George Paletta
on March 20. Some concern over this situation. Will certainly not be ready to start the season. Code =
yellow.
Outfield
* JUAN GONZALEZ - left abdominal
strain - MRI will be read on Monday. Falling behind in the outfield derby.
If he doesn’t make the club, he will be forced to deal with an assignment to
Memphis or seek employment
elsewhere. Code =
yellow.
Brian Walton can be reached via
email at brwalton@earthlink.net.
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