MLB.COM reported that Cliff Lee has a right lower abdominal strain and has traveled to Seattle for evaluation. Depending on severity, Lee could start the season on the Disabled list.
Lee, who came to the Phillies briefly last season, was traded to Seattle for 3 relatively unproven prospects. I was wondering when this “aha” moment would happen just didn’t think it would happen so soon. Let’s see if this makes the Phillies front office look better to the fans who had dreams of a Super pitching rotation in 2010.
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Hasn’t he already been suspended for the 1st 5 games of the season for throwing at a batter in spring training? If he starts the season on the DL then those 5 games will probably be tacked on once he’s healthy.
I’d have to agree with you Decal, I don’t think it’s possible for him to serve the suspension while on the DL.
Either way, I don’t think having your #1 or #2 pitcher go light on innings early in the year is a bad thing. They’ll be that much stronger in September.
That’s a good point Matt. My concern (if I was a Mariners fan) would be that ballplayers tend to be methodical and if they get out of their routine it could throw them off. If Lee gets off to a rough start that plagues him into the All Star break, September might not matter to the team.
If the Mariners are out of it by the allstar break it wouldn’t surprise me if Lee would finish the season in pinstripes. I’m hoping the M’s do well and Lee signs a multiyear contract to stay in Seattle where he’ll likely never see the Phillies in the postseason.
Are you and Jeff Schuler not on speaking terms, NN?
I’ve never met him.