How about this one... Freddy Garcia got his second opinion on his "frayed" rotator cuff and "some pathology" to his labrum from noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, and guess what? It looks like "frayed" and "pathology" isn't as bad as it sounds.
The Phillies issued a statement on Thursday afternoon stating that Andrews agreed with team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti in that Garcia might just need a few weeks rest and then could be able to get back out there.
Here's the Phillies release:
Phillies Assistant General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. issued the following statement today on righthander Freddy Garcia, who met with orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews yesterday in Birmingham, Ala.
"Both the Phillies’ medical staff and Dr. Andrews are in complete agreement that a conservative approach should be taken in regards to Garcia’s injury."
"Garcia will be shut down from throwing for several weeks. At some point, he will begin a tossing program. Both doctors agree that there is some damage to the shoulder, but it’s more a product of being a starting pitcher who has logged as many innings as Freddy has over the last several seasons.
"At this point, there is no time frame for when Garcia will be pitching competitively at the major league level for the Phillies."
It will be interesting to hear Garcia's reaction to the diagnosis, especially since he appears to be a bit peeved at certain segments of the local sporting press. According to a story in the local press, Garcia told the scribes from Chicago that he thinks he's being treated unfairly by the Philadelphia-area media.
"I want to show them, especially in this town," Garcia told the Chicago Tribune. "They've been really rough. 'What did he do? Why did they bring him here?' I feel like they rip me because I cannot pitch."
Sorry Freddy. It's not you, it's us.