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Texas Rangers’ Brandon McCarthy ailing again

09:11 PM CST on Thursday, March 5, 2009

By ANTHONY ANDRO / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

SURPRISE, Ariz. – Right-hander Brandon McCarthy, whose first two seasons with the Texas Rangers were marred by injuries, will miss his scheduled exhibition start Friday because of stiffness in his right shoulder.

McCarthy said the shoulder stiffened after a bullpen session Monday. He told trainer Jamie Reed about it Wednesday morning and the decision was made to skip the start.

“At this point, I don’t know what it is,” said McCarthy, who said he felt better after the team’s off-day Tuesday. “It loosens up. It might be a fatigue thing at this point. We haven’t had a chance to sit around and talk about it too much.”
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McCarthy ailing again

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McCarthy is expected to be in the starting rotation. But given his injury history, there’s cause for concern any time he gets hurt.

McCarthy has made 27 starts since the Chicago White Sox traded him to the Rangers for John Danks after the 2006 season. His first season was hampered by a blister on his finger and a stress fracture in his right shoulder.

Last year, he developed right forearm inflammation during spring training and was limited to five starts. His season ended because of a strained flexor tendon in his right middle finger.

McCarthy said he doesn’t believe his latest injury has anything to do with last year’s problems because his arm feels fine.

McCarthy is scheduled to throw today and had hoped to start Friday. General manager Jon Daniels said given what he saw on the injury report, it would be best if McCarthy didn’t pitch Friday.

“Whatever they feel is best,” said McCarthy, who pitched two innings Saturday against Arizona. “I’ll put myself in their hands. If they think that is what I need and it’s not a concern, that’s fine. If they feel like it’s best to throw through it, obviously I’ll have some input. Their opinion is a little more advanced than mine.”

Manager Ron Washington said it is too early to raise red flags. But McCarthy’s woes put a damper on a camp marked by good health.
RON JENKINS / Special to DMN
RON JENKINS / Special to DMN
Brandon McCarthy has made 27 starts since he was traded to the Texas Rangers after the 2006 season.
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“It’s frustrating because it’s McCarthy,” Washington said “This guy wants to get out there and prove that he’s ready to pitch. We have to shut him down. We just have to wait and see how it goes. It could just be he needs to miss that start.”

McCarthy has been throwing since December and participated in the Rangers’ off-season conditioning program, adding 15 pounds.

Pitching coach Mike Maddux said he holds out hope McCarthy will be ready to pitch after throwing today. Maddux said likely replacements include Dustin Nippert and touted prospect Neftali Feliz.

“We’ll see,” Maddux said. “We’ll play catch and see where we are. Hopefully, we can ring that bell.”
Sore spot

Brandon McCarthy’s injury history with the Rangers:

June 10, 2007: DL with a blister on right middle finger. Returned July 2.

Aug. 15, 2007: DL with stress fracture in right shoulder blade. Returned Sept. 11, shut down after three starts.

March 30, 2008: Opened season on 60-day DL after battling right forearm inflammation during spring training. Made first start Aug. 23.

Sept. 15, 2008: Injured right finger in start against Detroit and did not pitch again.

Wednesday: Reported stiffness in his right shoulder, prompting the team to hold him out of a scheduled start Friday.
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Comments (12)
Posted by chewchilla | 3 days ago

I would love nothing more than for the Rangers to do “good” this year. The Rangers have a great offense…once again. But it’s simple math and the fundamental basis of how you win a game…you gotta score more runs than the other team. You can’t do that consistently when your starting pitchers will all range from a 4.50 to 5.50 ERA.

81 wins.

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Posted by patchman | 3 days ago

Chew, tell me the truth. You secretly think the Rangers are going to be good this year. I do. Maddux is going to straighten out the pitching (see Millwood?) and the Rangers sail is going to catch wind. You watch!

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Posted by potmeetkettle | 3 days ago

McCarthy: “AAHHH-CHOO !” Result: Ruptured spleen and broken arm.

dump this dandelion.

More money = better than

Most people would kill to be a God just once in their lives.

Not my kind of show.