MILWAUKEE -- Cliff Lee is unlikely to return to the Phillies’ starting pitching rotation until after the all-star break.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Lee would pitch Wednesday for Single A Clearwater. Amaro said Lee would probably require one more minor-league rehab start after that, likely five days later. The all-star break arrives after Sunday’s games. That means Lee could not pitch in the majors until the first weekend after the all-star break when the Phillies are in Atlanta.
Lee will draw great interest on the trade front. However, if he doesn’t return until after the break, he will be able to make only three starts before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Is that enough time for a team to evaluate a pitcher coming off an elbow injury? A pitcher who is owed $37.5 million after this season? Time will tell.
Lee has been on the disabled list since May 20 with a strained left elbow. He threw 24 pitches in two innings in his first rehab start for Clearwater on Sunday. The game was halted because of rain. Lee could have thrown more pitches in the bullpen, but he wants to face hitters so he will crank it up again Wednesday for Clearwater.
“He threw well,” Amaro said. “We liked what we saw out of his two innings. The stuff was good. The delivery was good. He was 89-91 [mph], so not all that far off from where he usually is.
“There was no pain, no issues with the elbow so that’s a good sign.
“He’ll throw 60 to 65 pitches for Clearwater on Wednesday and then if he gets through that we’ll go to the next step which is probably one more rehab -- I hope -- and then hopefully ready to go.”