Amaro: Phillies 'Not Terribly Optimistic' Lee Will Avoid Surgery
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Cliff Lee career's is officially in danger.
Over the weekend, the Phillies' left-hander felt discomfort in his throwing elbow after his Spring Debut. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the club is "not terribly optimistic" that Lee can avoid surgery, which could be career-ending.
Dr. James Andrews agrees with the team's diagnosis that the MRI of Lee's torn common flexor tendon shows no apparent change from last season, despite about eight months of rest. However, if Lee continues to experience pain, "The next order of progression, I guess, would be to have a surgery."
How long will it take for a decision?
"It may not even take a couple of weeks," Amaro said. "It may take a couple of days."
Lee, 36, is in his final year of his five-year deal with the Phillies. Lee is owed $25 million in 2015 and has a contract buyout of $12.5 million in 2016.