Lee, who was limited to 13 starts last season and none after July 31 because of elbow pain, made his lone start of the spring on March 5 and pitched two scoreless innings against Houston. (Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports)
The Philadelphia Phillies placed veteran left-hander Cliff Lee on the 60-day disabled list Monday.
The Philadelphia Phillies left-hander learned last Tuesday that he has a torn flexor tendon in his pitching elbow. Knowing he would miss the season if he opts for surgery, Lee is going to try to rehab the elbow.
“It’s tough to stay positive about it, but … there’s nothing I can do,” Lee told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday. “To me, it came down to either have the surgery, or don’t. I’m going to give it a chance of not to. The doctor wanted me to have the surgery and recommended it, but I can still do that two to three months from now if I’m not able to pitch.”
Lee, who was limited to 13 starts last season and none after July 31 because of elbow pain, made his lone start of the spring on March 5 and pitched two scoreless innings against Houston. He allowed two singles and threw 16 of his 22 pitches for strikes.
However, he felt discomfort when he threw on the side a few days later, and an MRI revealed the tear.
Lee’s five-year, $120 million contract will expire at the end of the season unless he manages to pitch 200 innings, which would trigger a $27.5-million vesting option for next season.
