TORONTO (AP) -Baltimore Orioles closer Danys Baez has a partial tear in his right elbow and likely will miss the rest of the season.
Orioles manager Dave Trembley said Saturday that Baez will seek a second opinion after an MRI exam Friday revealed the partial tear.
“I would expect that he’s not going to pitch for us the rest of the season,” Trembley said.
Trembley said Baez will decide between surgery or rehabbing the injury after seeking more medical advice.
The 30-year-old Baez missed almost a month earlier this season with a strained right forearm. He’s allowed runs in 11 of 22 appearances since rejoining the Orioles on July 12. The right-hander is 0-6 with three saves and a 6.44 ERA in 53 games.
Baez did not travel with the team to Toronto, remaining in Baltimore for the exam.
Baez took over as Baltimore’s closer on Aug. 17 after Chris Ray had Tommy John elbow surgery. Ray is expected to miss the entire 2008 season.
“We’re already prepared that we we’re going to have to make some changes in our bullpen, make some additions to our bullpen,” Trembley said. “If Baez is going to be missing as well, that’s just another piece of the puzzle we’ve got to try and figure out.”
Baltimore’s pitching staff has been wracked by injuries this season. Kris Benson (torn labrum) has missed the entire year, Jaret Wright (sore shoulder) has been limited to three starts, Adam Loewen (stress fracture, left elbow) has made just six starts and Erik Bedard (strained right oblique) was shut down for the season Sunday, derailing his bid for the American League Cy Young award.
“Obviously it’s been more than you’d ever expect,” Trembley said. “You can only hope it gets better.”
Trembley said Garrett Olson, who left a Sept. 4 start against Boston with a strained forearm, has not been cleared to resume throwing. Jeremy Guthrie (strained left oblique) is still not ready to return.
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