Leyland worried about Rodney's shoulder

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Leyland worried about Rodney's shoulder

Tom Gage / The Detroit News

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Fernando Rodney's right shoulder problem is becoming more of a worry to manager Jim Leyland -- instead of less.

Leyland said before Wednesday's exhibition opener against the New York Mets that "whenever a guy has to take five or six days away from throwing you get concerned.

"I have to say that the doctor's prognosis is that he'll be fine," said Leyland. "But with (Rodney's) history (of arm problems) last year, and now being shut down in spring training, I'm concerned about it without question.

"To say I'm not, I'd be lying. I'm not trying to hide anything. Before I wasn't at the concerned point. Now I am.

"I didn't know it was tendonitis at first. I thought it was just some stiffness. So I'm more concerned than I was a week ago."

At the same time, Leyland said there's plenty of time for Rodney to recover and head into the season without a problem.

"I don't want to get carried away," he said. "It's just that I always prepare for the worst situation. He has plenty of time, but if we're sitting here 10 days from now, or two weeks from now, saying the same thing, then we have issues.

"But let's not put the cart before the horse. It's way too early to say he's going to be ready and it's way too early to say he won't be."