Bradley to get second opinion on shoulder
D-backs righty experienced soreness after rehab start
SAN DIEGO -- D-backs right-hander Archie Bradley will have his shoulder examined by noted orthopedic surgeon James Andrews as the team tries to get to the bottom of the discomfort he experienced during a rehab start Wednesday night.
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Bradley was on the DL with what the team said was shoulder tendinitis, and after his first rehab start Wednesday, he once again complained of soreness. Bradley allowed three runs on six hits while striking out three over four innings in that game with GM Dave Stewart in attendance.
"He averaged 93 mph, which is good," Stewart said. "I did think that his breaking ball was a little flat and his changeup was a little flat, but that was mechanical. From my eyes he's just dropping his shoulder and pushing the ball, versus throwing it. But I didn't have any reason to be alarmed after his start that there was something wrong, I didn't go in the clubhouse with him and then I got the reports that he was still feeling some soreness."
Bradley returned to Phoenix, where he was examined by team physician Gary Waslewski, who diagnosed tendinitis.
"Our reports were his strength was fine," Stewart said. "They did say his flexibility was a little down so he's not as flexible, but strength-wise they felt he was fine. Our tests showed that we thought it may still be just some tendinitis and we were going to put him on some medication, and he wanted a second opinion, so he's going to see Dr. Andrews."
Even though their tests did not reveal a serious injury, Stewart said the club wants to exercise caution with Bradley, and any time a pitcher complains of an arm issue, there's a degree of concern.
"We just don't know what it is," Stewart said. "Maybe there's an answer with Dr. Andrews that we're not getting here. But yeah we're concerned. We've got to take care of his arm. He's a big prospect for us so it's important that we take care of those kids. I think we're going to have to just see what it is, and once we find out what it is we'll make a plan from there."