Sunday, February 20, 2011
Posted: 9:38 p.m.Updated: Feb. 21, 9 a.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Cliff Lee strained a muscle on his left side during offseason workouts last month, butis fine now, both the pitcher and the team said Monday morning."It's a non-issue," Lee said. "I feel fine.""He's fine, 100 percent normal," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.Lee, the Phillies prized free-agent pitching acquisition, felt soreness near his left arm pit while working out at his Arkansas home last month, Amaro said. Lee stopped his workouts and traveled to Philadelphia -- he had been scheduled to be in town for an appearance anyway -- to see team doctors. An MRI revealed a minor strain of his lat muscle, under his arm pit."He did the right thing calling us," Amaro said. "He was only shut down for about eight days."Lee received a clean bill of healthbefore spring training started and other than shortening his first bullpen session on Tuesday,participated fully in all baseball activities during the first week ofcamp. Pitching coach Rich Dubee was asked about Lee's shortened bullpen session last week. Hesaid there was no problem and that was just the wayLee and the team wanted to handle the first workout of the spring."We were just trying to be cautious so he threw a short bullpen on Tuesday," Amaro said. "Since then he has been great. He feels fine and normal."Lee said the problem "changed my preparation a little." Amaro said Lee is back on trackand "right on schedule" as the second week of camp begins.Lee will throw to hitters on Tuesday as originally scheduled."He's right on pace with the other guys," Dubee said Monday. "It's not even an issue."Lee is scheduled to make his first spring start on Tuesday March 1 against Detroit in Clearwater. He lines up to pitch the second game of the regular season.Lee, 32,signed a five-year, 120 million contract with the Phils in December. He has a history of torso injuries. He was a burgeoning star with Cleveland, winning 46 games from 2004-2006, when he suffered an abdominal muscle injury in spring training 2007. He never righted himself in going 5-8 with a 6.29 ERA that season. He spent time in the minors and was not part of the Indians' postseason roster. A year later, Lee came back with a vengeance and went 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA in winning the American League Cy Young award.Lee missed the start of last season with another abdominal strain. He was with Seattle at the time. Late in the season he missed a start with Texas because of a back problem.As with any pitcher, the Phillies will monitor Lee closely."It behooves us to watch him," Amaro said. "But he's absolutely fine."Related: Phils' Ibanez looks to build on strong second halfBuy Phillies gear
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com