The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly. Weekly Injury Update: 5.11.2012

2012 continues to be a tough season for closers.  More closers have gone to the DL and others have been lost for the season.  Right now it is open season on closer jobs with so many closers be out for the season, hurt, or just blowing saves.  Check out the latest injury news right now.

The Good

Huston Street, SD – Street is making his annual appearance on the DL with a (strained latissimus dorsi muscle.  He has yet to start any throwing program.  He was placed on the DL May 6th and will likely be out of action for 3-4 weeks.

Sergio Santos, TOR – On May 8, Sergio Santos was cleared to resume throwing after sitting out the past three weeks with shoulder inflammation.  According to  manager John Farrell  “I would guess that’s probably still two weeks away.”  That would put his return sometime around May 20.  I suspect it will be a few days longer with a rehab stint, so look for Santos to return by late May.

Brad Lidge, WAS – Lidge is still recovering from sports hernia surgery and should start a rehab assignment later this month.  If all goes well, Lidge will return to the Nationals by early June.

The Bad

Kyle Farnsworth, TB - Farnsworth was transferred to the 60-day DL with a right elbow strain.  That puts him at least 6-8 weeks out.  The good news is, Farnsworth has started throwing again.  Of course, he hasn’t thrown a ball, but did sock throws. He made 25 sock throws on Tuesday. This workout involved him going through his throwing motions by throwing the ball from inside a tube sock worn over his pitching arm.  Not too shabby.  Regardless of his return, Rodney will remain the closer. He is doing a great job and I don’t see him getting demoted just because of Farnsworth’s return.

Drew Storen, WAS – Not allot has changed with Storen.  While he is doing plenty of rehabbing exercises with medicine balls and other such equipment, Storen has yet to throw a baseball.  Manager Davy Johnson has speculated that Storen will start some soft toss exercises as early as next week.

The Ugly

OUT FOR THE SEASON:

• Brian Wilson, SF – Tommy John Surgery
• Joakim Soria, KAN - Tommy John Surgery
• Ryan Madon, CIN –   Tommy John Surgery
• Mariano Rivera, NYY – Torn anterior cruciate ligament and blood clot.

Andrew Bailey, BOS - Bailey had the cast removed from his surgically repaired thumb and has yet to start throwing.  Red Sox management has told the media that Bailey is on track to return in late July.  He will go and see his doctor next week and that is the next step in the process for getting Bailey back on the field.