Jose Contreras On Track To Return To Phillies In Late May

Do you want major updates to this story in your Facebook News Feed?

Update

Jose Contreras Injury Not A Factor During Bullpen Session

In April, Phillies reliever Jose Contreras was placed on the disabled list with a mild elbow strain. The strain was expected to keep Contreras out for 3-4 weeks, and he remains on target to return to the team towards the end of May, having thrown his first successful bullpen session on Tuesday. Writes David Hale, Contreras' ~40 pitches went by incident-free.

It's good news for a Phillies team that has been dealing with more than its fair share of injuries in the early going. Which isn't to say the bullpen has been suffering - the Phillies' collective relief corps has an incredible 2.96 ERA, despite having to fare so long without Contreras and Brad Lidge - but that 2.96 ERA is unsupported by the bullpen's 1.5 K/BB, so the upcoming return of Contreras (and Lidge) will offer some stability.

Ryan Madson has served as the team's interim closer in Contreras' absence, and has allowed just one run all season in 14 innings.

May 10 6:08p by Jeff Sullivan - 0 comments

Update

Jose Contreras Injury Is A Grade 1 Elbow Strain

Not long ago, stopgap Philadelphia Phillies closer Jose Contreras was placed on the disabled list with an elbow injury. He had an MRI on the elbow on Tuesday, and the results are most certainly encouraging. Writes Jim Salisbury:

PHOENIX – Phillies reliever Jose Contreras will be out of action for three or four weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain in his right elbow, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced on Tuesday night.

What is a Grade 1 strain, you ask? A Grade 1 strain is the least severe kind of strain, and while Contreras will obviously still miss some time, he isn't looking at anything surgical.

Instead, the Phillies will keep Contreras shut down for the next 7-10 days, after which he will begin a throwing program with the goal of getting him back with the team within a month. Until then, the Phillies will continue handing their close ninth-inning leads over to Ryan Madson.

Apr 26 9:10p by Jeff Sullivan - 0 comments

Original Story

Jose Contreras To DL, Ryan Madson Takes Over As Closer

According to Matt Gelb, Jose Contreras is going on the Disabled List with a case of "flexor pronator strain" (which can't possibly be as boring as it sounds).

Contreras hasn't allowed a run in his eight innings, and had converted all five save opportunities since replacing the injured Brad Lidge as closer, a week into the season.

Ryan Madson, who now takes over from Contreras, has also pitched brilliantly this season, giving up just one run in nine innings. Madson's got a history of performing relatively poorly in the ninth inning, which has led to a lack of confidence from management. With Contreras unofficially on the shelf this weekend, Madson picked up saves both Friday and Saturday, his first two of the season.

Antonio Bastardo got the save on Sunday, but only because Charlie Manuel didn't want Madson working three days in a row. As well as Bastardo's pitched this month, he might pick up the occasional save against a lefty-heavy lineup, but Madson figures to keep the primary job until Lidge returns.

Apr 24 7:20p by Rob Neyer - 0 comments