Contreras placed on DL; Stutes coming up
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Contreras placed on DL; Stutes coming up
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO -- Jose Contreras has a strained flexor pronator tendon in his right elbow and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list, meaning the Phillies are down two closers just 21 games into the season.
With Brad Lidge already out for probably two more months, Ryan Madson takes over as closer.
To fill Contreras' spot on the roster, the Phillies will purchase the contract of Michael Stutes from triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Contreras is headed back to Philadelphia to see team physician Michael Ciccotti. That visit could result in an MRI. The Phillies are unsure how long the injury will keep Contreras out, but it's certainly not a good sign for the 39-year-old reliever.
He threw 72 pitches in a span of five days from April 17-21 and began experiencing the tenderness in his elbow after the final outing Thursday.
Read our full story on the injury here.
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Tommy John?— PhightinPhil- Blessing in disguise. Gives Stutes the experience needed to assume Madson's role next year once Madson bolts for the big Scott Boras payday via free agency.— UncleEddie
- Blessing in disguise? He hasn't given up a run all year, must be a really good disguise... I can see saying that if it was Herndon or Baez. This is real trouble. We won't get 8 or 9 innings every day from the starter and are now down to 2 reliable relievers in my view, Bastardo and Madson.
- Yes, this is no blessing. Contreras has been very effective. I want to see Stutes but I'd like do that without losing Contreras, Madson, or Bastardo.
It's great that Bastardo has stepped up ... makes this a little easier to take. I really like what we're seeing from him.— s - So there's the answer to why Bastardo closed today. I expect they'll start Stutes in the 7th and rely on Bastardo as a set-up man then see what Stutes can do in the 8th if he shows he's ready. It will be good to see the kid but let's hope the Contreras injury isn't serious. I still would consider trading Herndon out for Mathieson.— s
- This is no easter blessing. The big tank was getting the job done. A blessing would have been Danny boy Baez or Herndon going on the dl. now that's a blessing— Kenny Junod.
- I was afraid something was up with Jose when Madson closed the game last night instead of Contreras, as I posted earlier today in another article.— EL Zorro
- Is this the fourth or fifth consecutive year Contreras has been 39?— rollskreet
- Hahaha. Good point. — PhightinPhil
- Actually, the age question started when the Yankees signed him in 2003. At the time his agent held up a birth certificate that claimed he was 31. So he's been aging from that point at a normal rate. The question is whether he was really 31 in 2003 since many Cuban players fake their birth certificates so they can start playing at a young age.
If Madson proves he can be a regular closer you have to wonder if they'll let him walk in free agency. As UncleEddie says, he'll likely get a big (overpaid) contract with Boras. But closers don't exactly grow on trees. Which is why it's going to be equally as important to get long looks at Bastardo and Stutes.— s 
Comment removed.- Actually Dominicans are the one that are famous to fake their age. Furcal and Tejada are two that were known to shave a Not Cubans. Most Dominicans kids don't play organized baseball until they a "discovered'' by the 'buscones' or unofficial scouts who go to every corner to find kids with some kind of talent. If they are older than 18 they won't be signed because it will take some time for them to learn the game plus the language. In Cuba, baseball is very organized. That's why they keep winning all those international tournaments.— EL Zorro
- Oops.. Tejada and Furcal... to lie about their age.— EL Zorro
- anyone who is "happy" about this is not a baseball fan, hopefully Contreras is OK, who would wish an injury on a man, that being said, hopefully Madson can step up, he has the arm.........— WiffleBall
- Agreed, I am happy to see Stutes, but not at the cost of Contreras...We officially have a make shift bullpen...— PhilliefaninAZ
- Comment removed.
- @most_of_the_commentors_here_are_losers - not sure there's anything negative about saying fans should be concerned about the lack of depth in the bullpen. I'm sure every member of the Phillies coaching staff would admit to the same if they were being honest. I don't see anyone here saying this will sink the Phillies season or it's time to give up, just that this is a concern. I actually don't see ANYONE on this board whining.— Phils Phan 28
- Looks like Uncle Cholly is ruining the arms of Dave Montgomery's prized horses.— sonnybuoy01
