Could surgery be in Fernando Rodney's future?
BY JOHN LOWE • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • April 15, 2008

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Tigers right-handed reliever Fernando Rodney will have his still-ailing shoulder examined Wednesday by Dr. James Andrews, a sports orthopedist renowned for treating pitchers with arm and shoulder ailments.


Andrews has performed surgery on many pitchers. The big drama now is whether he will find something wrong with Rodney's shoulder that will cause him to recommend an operation.

Kevin Rand, the Tigers' head athletic trainer, said the club decided to send Rodney to Andrews after Rodney had more trouble when he threw Monday. Rodney's shoulder problem prevented him from pitching in any games this year in spring training or the regular season.

"Fernando threw another side session today (in Florida), but he still isn't able to get over the hump," Rand said. "He still isn't able to extend and get out there and finish.

"So he's going to go see Dr. Andrews on Wednesday. Then we'll wait to hear from Dr. Andrews."

The club has proceeded cautiously with Rodney's rehabilitation efforts. He has remained at the Tigers' spring-training base in Lakeland, Fla.

He has thrown there several times in the last few weeks -- sometimes with progress, other times with little or no progress.

Medical exams of Rodney's ailing shoulder have shown no major damage.

"We've gone the conservative route from the medication standpoint and trying to build up his arm strength," Rand said. "He hasn't been able to carry that over to the mound at this point. So it's time to have him reexamined."

This stinks. No Detroit Player ( Tigers or Lions) whoever goes to see Dr. Andrews gets good news. He examines them and then its worse then the original prognosis and they become out for the season.

Normaly I Think Dombrowski is one of
the better gm's But he dropped the ball here he went out and aquirred all these hitters while ignoring his bullpen problems. last season with Zumya hurt the bullpen was the weakest part of the team. Rodney had two stints on the DL and when he did pitch he wasnt all that effective. Infact if you look at it Rodney has had only one solid big league season. And Knowing Early that Zumya would be out atleast till the end of July he sould have been able to go out and sign a quality reliever.

Looks like he won't need the surgery.

I met Rodney at a local sport bar after a game in Lakeland..he was playing pool and doing a good job at it..he is headed north this week to start throwing in real games..