Luebke gets good news after MRI on left elbow

PITTSBURGH -- Left-handed pitcher Cory Luebke, who has already endured two Tommy John surgeries, got good news Wednesday regarding his elbow from an MRI performed a day earlier.

Luebke, who returned to San Diego from a rehabilitation stint with Triple-A El Paso after feeling discomfort in his left elbow, was diagnosed with a flexor strain -- a determination that's welcomed by Padres interim manager Pat Murphy and the organization.

"The ligament was still intact," Murphy said. "It's good news...given what he's been through and what it could be."

After an MRI and examination by team doctor Heinz Hoenecke on Tuesday, Luebke will have five days of rest before team doctors check in with him to resume rehab activities. 

Luebke, 30, who hasn't pitched in a Major League game since April 27, 2012, apparently dodged a blow in that the integrity of his ulnar collateral ligament was good.

He underwent his first reconstructive surgery on his left elbow in May 2012, and needed a revision in February 2014 after already making it far into his rehabilitation program.

Luebke last appeared in a game on June 30, and was throwing one inning every three days during rehab work, beginning with Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore on June 13.

In seven total Minor League outings this year with Lake Elsinore, Double-A San Antonio and El Paso, Luebke has a 3.86 ERA in seven innings while yielding three hits and four walks. He's 10-12 with a 3.25 ERA in 55 appearances -- 25 starts -- for San Diego from 2010-12.