MIAMI | Chad Cordero has a torn labrum in his right shoulder, an injury that will sideline the Washington Nationals closer for the rest of the season and likely could stretch well into 2009.
Cordero had been dealing with shoulder trouble all season and went on the disabled list April 30 with a torn latissimus dorsi (the muscle at the back of the shoulder). He had been rehabbing at the Nationals’ spring training complex in Viera, Fla., and as recently as two weeks ago was showing signs of progress that made the club hopeful he could return later this month.
But things took a downturn in the last week, and Cordero had his shoulder re-examined Monday. An arthrogram (a series of X-rays that incorporates an injection of colored dye) revealed the labrum tear. Surgery likely will take place sometime this week in Los Angeles, with orthopedist Lewis Yocum performing the procedure.
The Nationals won’t know a timetable for Cordero’s recovery until the surgery is completed, but these types of injuries generally take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to heal. Washington reliever Ryan Wagner had surgery to repair a torn labrum June 5, 2007, and is just now close to pitching in minor league rehab games.
“It’s really unfortunate,” manager Manny Acta said before his club opened a three-game series against the Florida Marlins. “It’s sad because we have missed him so bad this first half. We were looking forward to him coming back in the second half so he could stabilize our bullpen and make it better. But it’s just one more injury for us.”
Though the labrum tear had not revealed itself until Monday, team officials are fairly confident Cordero had been pitching with it since at least late-March. Two previous MRIs had shown no structural damage, but the right-hander said he felt something “pop” in his shoulder while playing catch before the Nationals’ Opening Night game against the Atlanta Braves.
After a two-week stint on the DL, Cordero returned to pitch in six games but hardly resembled the man who saved 113 games while posting a 2.79 ERA over the last three seasons. His velocity was way down; his fastball at times registered 15 mph lower than usual.
While pitching against the Braves on April 29, he tore the lat muscle and went back on the DL with hopes of returning following the All-Star break.
Though former setup man Jon Rauch has performed admirably in Cordero’s closer role, the rest of the Nationals’ bullpen (previously a club strength) has wilted. The unit carried a 4.40 ERA into Monday’s game, the second-worst mark in the National League.
Cordero’s anticipated return figured to have a profound impact on Washington’s entire relief corps.
“We were hoping that we would have him back sometime after the All-Star break, so this ’pen would kind of resemble back to the past three or four years,” pitching coach Randy St. Claire said. “It’s very disappointing, but what are we going to do? Oh well. These guys have to continue to step it up. Hopefully the second half they’ll feel more relaxed in the roles that they’re in and they’ll take advantage of those roles until we can get Chief back.”
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