Feliciano may need shoulder surgery
Relief pitcher Pedro Feliciano, new to the Yankees this season, throws during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner field in Tampa. (Feb. 14, 2011) Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Joe Girardi could not have sounded much more cryptic in regard to Pedro Feliciano if he tried.
"He's got a damaged shoulder," Girardi said of the lefthander after last night's 7-4 win.
Feliciano received a second MRI Tuesday after playing catch and not feeling any improvement in his rotator cuff from the last time he had thrown on March 27.
"The MRI did not come back good," Girardi said. "He has a shoulder injury and in fairness to the player, he needs to talk about it with our doctors and his agents and decide what the next course of action is. And that's all I'm going to give you."
Girardi's words seemed to indicate that the next step could be surgery.
Feliciano, who signed a two-year, $8-million deal, pitched well early in the spring but never appeared in a game after March 9. He tried to throw a couple of light bullpen sessions in the weeks that followed, but the soreness, which he described Tuesday as a "pinch," persisted.
"He's got an issue," Girardi said, when asked if the options Feliciano would have to discuss were between surgery and extended rehab. "And he needs to talk it over with his family, his agent and our doctors, and we'll go from there."
