 | Jeff Francis' return derailed, reporting arm pain |
 The Denver Post is reporting "The Rockies suddenly have become the trendy pick to win the National League West, if not the NL pennant. But if they're going to do it, it will be, at least in the short run, without two key members of their pitching staff.
Closer Huston Street is in Tucson, shut down indefinitely because of lingering inflammation in his right shoulder. And Friday came the shocking news that Jeff Francis, one day after his most impressive outing of the spring, would have to open the season on the 15-day disabled list.
Francis, who missed the entire 2009 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum, reported to Isotopes Park with pain under his left armpit, one day after shutting out the Chicago Cubs for fiveinnings in Mesa, Ariz. He was scheduled to pitch Tuesday in the Rockies' second game of the season at Milwaukee, but that assignment will fall to another left-hander, Greg Smith.
"It's hurting pretty bad, but not like before," said Francis. "I don't know if that's good news or bad. I threw the ball (Thursday) in a way I hadn't thrown it in a long time. It was probably taxing on my shoulder and it probably wasn't ready for it. Needless to say, I'm pretty disappointed."
As of Friday night, Francis hadn't been scheduled for an MRI. But his pain was so significant he wasn't able to play catch and wouldn't have been able to throw his regularly scheduled bullpen session today. Thus, the decision to place him on the disabled list, was "a no-brainer," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said.
Francis said he felt so good during spring training, he had put out of his mind any lingering doubts about coming back from surgery. Now, he isn't sure when he might be able to pitch again. The only plan at this point is for him to accompany the team to Milwaukee before consulting with the Rockies' medical staff in Denver."
To read more..
http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_14813213
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