MLB notes: Giants RHP Matt Cain needs surgery to remove bone chips
San Francisco Giants right-hander Matt Cain needs surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow, an operation that likely will end his season.
The three-time All-Star sure hopes not. Giants manager Bruce Bochy is fairly certain his one-time ace is done for the year.
“If you’re putting odds on it, the odds are not going to be that he will pitch,” Bochy said Friday.
Cain played catch on flat ground, from 60 feet, before the Giants played the New York Mets and is waiting to see how his arm responds before making a decision on when he will have surgery.
Bochy, though, said the team allowed him to throw just to “check off that box.”
Cain has not pitched since July 9 and is 2-7 with a 4.18 ERA. He was checked by Dr. James Andrews, Giants orthopedist Dr. Ken Akizuki and Mets orthopedist Dr. David Altchek.
All three doctors were in agreement: the chips have to come out.
“I’ve had them for 10 years,” Cain said. “They’ve always been there. Now they’re mad and letting me know about it.”
Bochy says Cain will need about three months’ recovery time so he should be able to schedule the operation and have plenty of time to get ready for spring training.
Lee placed on DL
The Philadelphia Phillies placed left-hander Cliff Lee on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow strain and recalled left-hander Cesar Jimenez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Lee left in the third inning of Thursday night’s win over the Washington Nationals with a left flexor pronator strain, an apparent recurrence of the injury that put him on the disabled list in May.
Manager Ryne Sandberg said Friday that Lee, 35, will be examined by the team doctor today in Washington, and undergo an MRI and additional tests when the team returns to Philadelphia early next week.
Clearing the bases
Marlins All-Star pitcher Henderson Alvarez was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his right shoulder. The Marlins recalled left-hander Dan Jennings from Triple-A New Orleans. … The Giants have designated second baseman Dan Uggla and outfielder Tyler Colvin for assignment after losing five of six on a horrid homestand. The Giants filled the two spots by calling up Double-A infielder Matt Duffy and outfielder Jarrett Parker. … John Lackey won’t be facing his old team in his first start with the Cardinals. Lackey will pitch Sunday in the series finale against the Brewers, with Lance Lynn pushed back to start Tuesday in the opener of a series against the Red Sox. The Cardinals’ other trade deadline pickup, Justin Masterson, will make his first start tonight.