Reds closer Madson will miss season

Instead of closing for the Cincinnati Reds, Ryan Madson will miss the 2012 season because of a torn ligament in his right elbow.

Madson returned to Cincinnati from Goodyear, Ariz., and was examined by team medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek. The Reds said Saturday that Kremchek told general manager Walt Jocketty the ligament was torn from the bone of Madson’s right elbow.

“We talked to the team. We all have to stay positive,” Jocketty said. “We have alternatives internally that we will sort through in the next few days.”

Madson agreed in January to a one-year contract guaranteeing $8.5 million, after a $44 million, four-year deal to stay with Philadelphia collapsed in November.

The 31-year old reported discomfort in his elbow at the start of spring training but insisted it was an annual ailment that he had always worked through. He didn’t pitch in any exhibition games.

Madson pitched batting practice Tuesday and had been scheduled to throw again on Friday.

“He looked very good on Tuesday. He felt some tightness the next day,” Jocketty said. “He felt fine all spring until lately. Even after he sat out for a little bit and came back he felt real good. After the live session the other day it felt tight but even when he left the other day, he felt fine.”

Dr. Kremchek explained to Jocketty that bleeding made it appear the tear was recent.

Madson’s contract calls for a $6 million salary this year, of which $2 million is deferred until Nov. 1 and $2 million until Nov. 1, 2013. The agreement includes an $11 million mutual option for 2013 with a $2.5 million buyout.

Madson saved 32 games in 34 chances last year for the Phillies and was to have replaced Francisco Cordero as the Reds’ closer.Sean Marshall, obtained from the Chicago Cubs in December, becomes a leading candidate for closer. Hard-throwing Aroldis Chapman could be shifted to a bullpen role.

Rays pitcher held

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Bush is being held in Punta Gorda, Fla., on more than $1 million bail on charges that he left the scene of an accident that seriously injured a motorcyclist.

Bush made his first court appearance Saturday. Charlotte County Circuit Court records show that Bush remained in custody on multiple DUI-related charges and counts of leaving the scene of an injury accident and driving with a suspended license.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Bush kept driving after hitting a motorcycle Thursday. The motorcyclist remains hospitalized.

Bush’s attorney, Russell Kirshy, said the baseball player would likely enter a rehab program once he gets released.

Clearing the bases

Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan said minor league pitcher Aaron Thompson is facing a 50-game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy. Ryan said that the suspension involved “recreational drug use.” … Dennis Bennett, who pitched for four MLB teams, died Saturday in Klamath Falls, Ore., after an ongoing illness. He was 72. Bennett pitched for Philadelphia, Boston, the New York Mets and L.A. Angels.