Rodney good news - McBride bad news - 04/11/2008

04/11/2008 10:55 PM ET
Rodney making progress in rehab
McBride reportedly to have ligament replacement surgery
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

CHICAGO -- Fernando Rodney threw another bullpen session on Friday, this time with more intensity, and he emerged healthy. It was the second encouraging sign in three days for the injured Tigers reliever, who has yet to pitch in a game of any kind this year due to shoulder tendinitis.

Rodney threw off a mound at the Tigers' Spring Training complex in Lakeland, Fla., for about eight minutes. He tossed 35-40 pitches -- all fastballs and changeups -- at 80 percent intensity, according to head athletic trainer Kevin Rand.

It was a week ago Friday that Rodney had to be shut down from a similar side session with more shoulder soreness, the latest setback for the right-hander who was expected to be Detroit's eighth-inning setup man.

There's still no firm timetable for a return, but assuming he feels fine on Saturday, he'll throw another side session on Monday.

The news was not as good for young left-hander Macay McBride, who went onto the disabled list after pitching one inning in his first start of the season for Triple-A Toledo.

An examination by specialist Dr. David Altchek in New York on Thursday revealed a ligament tear in McBride's left elbow, according to a report in the Toledo Blade. He reportedly will undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery next week and miss the remainder of the season.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.