Madson out eight weeks, Phillies fighting urgency
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Madson out eight weeks, Phillies fighting urgency
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
At this point, there isn't much the Phillies can do except wait and see what happens. That's the message general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. relayed today after head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan announced that set-up man Ryan Madson would miss a minimum of eight weeks with the broken toe he suffered kicking a chair in the wake of his second blown save of the season last week in San Francisco.
"It's a concern that he's out this long, there's no question about that," Amaro said. "It's a pretty major blow to our bullpen, there's no question about that. There's no two ways around it. Whether it changes the way we, or what our needs may be, or what we'll be looking for, we'll see. We'll see how things pan out. Obviously, it puts guys at different positions to do other things and puts guys in different roles perhaps, but we'll have to deal with it."
Madson, who underwent surgery today to place two pins in the injured toe, won't be able to put weight on his foot for two weeks. Not until four weeks, when the pins are expected to be removed, will he be able to put significant weight on the foot.
The Phillies will attempt to keep his arm strong through modified exercises, like throwing on the knees or from a chair. But it won't be until a month from now that the team will have a clearer idea of how quickly his rehab can progress.
"A lot depends on how fast can he progress weight-bearing activities after that four-week period," Sheridan said. "Obviously, we are going to try to keep his arm strong and those things. That's why we're saying a minimum of eight weeks right now."
Smoltz
See the blessing therein ... Madson gets time off to figure things out, we get to see what Contreras and Baez can at the back end of the bullpen and we also have Lidge back. It's also early in the season. I can think of no better time for this to happen considering the past 3 or 4 years. Stupid? YES. Disastrous? NO.— mwilgus
Baez to close Madson GONE— Phil Lee- Bring up Bastardo!— dross
- No one rips this pitching staff more than me, but in the last 3 games against the Cards, only 1.3 run/game is pretty hard to knock. Also, it has to be said: delighted (all things considered) with Hamels so far this year. but that BP. maybe recent performance is the exception that proves the rule, esp regarding this BP. And now Madson, who has sucked from day one, has all the market worth of a Yugo. I hope the FO is working something behind the scenes that wont mortgage the future too badly. PS...Jason Werth contracts talk deadlocked? Glad to see it hasnt affected his performance. How can they not resign him???— Rando
- His frustration and anger over his inability to function in the closers role is understandable and deserved. If only Donovan or Andy Reid could have displayed that much "passion" and emotion, maybe the Eagles would be sharing some of the Phils success...— maroonedinVA
- He wasn't pitching well before he injured himself. Now he will use the injured "push off" toe as his excuse for the rest of his crappy season. I hate seeing him take the mound!— KarenD
- Murphy on Vaca?????— Philly4fanDoc
- @scooch..............GoPhilsGo is a assistant of Dallas green.— Philly4fanDoc
- Madson shouldn't be fined --- he should get a raise. His loss is the Phillies gain. Contreras and/or Baez will get the chance to prove that they're better than a guy who has blown way too many save opportunities in spectacular fashion.— iceman
- I don't think the Phils were sucking fumes, but I would be more worried about Happ then Madson. Happ may be out for the year. Forearm muscle strains are an indication of elbow problems. It may be time to shop Raul, but I think he's starting to come out of his slump. Madson can be replaced, by whom, I don't know, but the situation with Happ is much more serious. When Jimmy comes back, I suppose we can out score the opponents and still walk away with a Pennant, because the National league really is bad this year, but we'll be toast in the WS.— SPBilly
