Contreras to Give Comeback A Shot

Phillies reliever Jose Contreras walks off the field before injuring his elbow in the 7th inning against the Marlins. He will miss the rest of the season for the second straight year with an elbow injury. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

It has been a frustrating last eight months for Jose Contreras.

The 40-year-old reliever is set to have his second surgery since last September to repair a right elbow that has given him problems the last two seasons. It will be the second straight season-ending elbow surgery Contreras will have, this time repairing a torn UCL and flexor pronator tendon in his right elbow.

Contreras injured his elbow right away to start the 7th inning of the Phillies 6-4 win over the Marlins on Friday. After going on the DL late Friday night, Contreras had an MRI this morning to diagnose the problem, thus presenting the Cuban with more bad news.

But the Big Truck won’t let this latest set-back put the finishing touches on his career.

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Contreras Suffers Season-Ending Injury

UPDATE 2 — Jose Contreras’ season is done.

Contreras tore the UCL and flexor pronator tendon in his right elbow and will be out for the rest of the season.

UPDATE 1 — Phillies reliever Jose Contreras had an MRI this morning and was revealed that he has a right elbow strain.

Contreras is having bad luck with his right elbow, which kept him out of most of last season, and that he had surgery on last September.

The Phillies called up Michael Schwimer to fill Contreras’ spot in the bullpen.

It’s incredibly frustrating for Contreras, who had been rolling hispast 11 appearances this season. In those 11 games, Contreras was 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA in 9 2/3 innings.

Phils Get Good News On Worley

The Phillies rotation took a hit last week when Roy Halladay went on the DL.

All eyes turned to Vance Worley to get healthy and it looks like the young right-hander will be ready to rejoin the rotation by Monday.

Worley threw a second bullpen session today, and said his session went well. He felt no pain or discomfort in his right elbow, which was diagnosed to have a bone chip in it.

Worley could pitch Monday against the Dodgers, but it’s not official yet whether he will be able to go or if Cliff Lee will take the mound with Worley pitching Tuesday.

Either way, it’ good news and it prevents the Phillies from having to use a spot starter against the Dodgers on Monday or Tuesday with Kyle Kendrick pitching tonight and then slated to pitch Wednesday.

THOME, MARTINEZ UPDATE — Both Jim Thome and Michael Martinez will begin a rehab stint today with the Clearwater Threshers.

Martinez has been out since Spring Training with a broken foot and Thome has been out for over a month with a back injury.

Phillies Could Possibly Worry About Worley

Phillies SP Vance Worley (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

There is one name in all of baseball that is feared when it’s uttered: Dr. James Andrews.

Phillies injured starting pitcher Vance Worley visited Dr. Andrews Monday afternoon, seeking a second opinion on his elbow. UPDATE (via Todd Zolecki): Worley back from 2nd opinion. Said same diagnosis as Phillies doctors. No Tommy John. Will have to pitch rest of year with bone chip.

 Usually when Andrews is involved, it’s because he’s the best doctor in sports, specializing in the Tommy John surgery.

It was reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer that Worley has a small bone chip in his right elbow.

“He has a small body embedded in the lining of his joint,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “We don’t think it’s the reason why he had inflammation, but it’s possible. This is something that’s not very uncommon. But it could be the cause of some of the inflammation. We haven’t heard from Andrews.”

Worley originally went on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. Before the injury, Worley was 3-2 with a 3.07 ERA in seven starts.