The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly. Weekly Injury Update: 5.29.2012

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 great progress with his strained shoulder and looks to start a rehab stint next Monday or Tuesday, but that is all depending to how is shoulder reacts to his workload this week.  If all goes well, Street can return to the Padres by late next week or early the following week.  Also, there is no threat he will lose his job to Dale Thayer, but expect Street to be dealt sometime in July.  The Padres have tremendous depth in the their bullpen and Street (if healthy) will be a hot commodity for teams looking to add depth to their own bullpens.

Brad Lidge, WAS – Lidge had what he called a “great” bullpen session.  He will continue to throw and if his health holds up, start a rehab assignment.  Expect Lidge to rejoin his team later in June.  With Clippard pitching well, I’m not 100% sure Lidge will takeover as closer, but we will see.

The Bad

Sergio Santos, TOR - Santos has been throwing and performing long toss (120 feet).  However, he has been unable to get to the next step with soreness in his strained shoulder.  Right now he is focusing on building strength in his shoulder before hitting the mound and throwing there.  Once that happens, he will hit rehab and work in the minors before coming back up.  This has gotten ugly.  We were expecting 3-4 weeks and now we are looking at early July at best for Santos’ return.

Kyle Farnsworth, TB - Farnsworth has been making great progress with is injury.  He was originally expected to be on the DL for 4-6 weeks, but has been on it much longer.  According to the Tampa Bay Times, he is throwing fastballs and then testing how is arm reacts.  So far he has thrown up to 30 fastballs with no reported problems.  He is on track to return later in June to the Rays.  Likely to a setup role.

Drew Storen, WAS – Storen is throwing regularly now, (3 times a week) and will continue to build strength in his arm before hitting a rehab stint. He is on track to return around the All-Star break.

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 was supposed to start a throwing program for his surgically repaired thumb, but no word has been given on how that has gone.  He is still on target for a late July return to the Red Sox. Of course if you belive that, then you should place some wagers at Party Casino.