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Rotation Takes a Blow
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VIERA, Fla. -- Frank Robinson said recently that a baseball manager's No. 1 goal during the exhibition season is to have everybody healthy during Spring Training. That won't be the case with the Nationals, as they learned on Saturday that right-hander Brian Lawrence will miss most of the 2006 season with a torn labrum.
Lawrence will have surgery at the Washington Hospital Center in D.C. on Sunday. Dr. Weimi Douoguih, the team's orthopedic physician, will perform the surgery.
The early prognosis is that Lawrence will be out until August, but if his injury is similar to Tony Armas Jr.'s -- in which he had both a torn rotator cuff and labrum -- Lawrence would be out for the rest of the season.
Lawrence began to feel shoulder stiffness early this week. Lawrence thought the soreness was caused by a winter of inactivity. After a few days of rest, he had another bullpen session on Wednesday. Although Lawrence pitched the entire eight minutes on the mound, pitching coach Randy St. Claire thought Lawrence's pitching motion wasn't free and easy.
"He looked guarded on the mound, but he said he felt better," St. Claire said.
By Friday, the pain grew worse and, that evening, Lawrence had an MRI exam performed, which also revealed a lot of wear and tear on his rotator cuff.
Lawrence was acquired from the Padres in the Vinny Castilla trade last November. Lawrence took a physical before the trade was officially announced and there was no indication that Lawrence had arm problems.
"Obviously, it's disappointing," Lawrence said. "Injuries have never been an issue with me. I never felt any pain until the first day I showed up here.
"Hopefully, we'll get this cleared up and I'll be good and strong in August or September."
The Nationals will pay Lawrence a base salary of $3.5 million in 2006. Lawrence also is scheduled to make a roster bonus, which the Padres will pay for. There is also a club option for $7.5 million for 2007 and a buyout for $550,000. If the Nationals chose to buy out Lawrence, Washington will be responsible for $125,000, while San Diego will pay the rest.
Lawrence was one of five players -- along with Armas, Ryan Drese, Ramon Ortiz and Jon Rauch -- who were vying for the last three spots in the rotation.
Lawrence will have surgery at the Washington Hospital Center in D.C. on Sunday. Dr. Weimi Douoguih, the team's orthopedic physician, will perform the surgery.
The early prognosis is that Lawrence will be out until August, but if his injury is similar to Tony Armas Jr.'s -- in which he had both a torn rotator cuff and labrum -- Lawrence would be out for the rest of the season.
Lawrence began to feel shoulder stiffness early this week. Lawrence thought the soreness was caused by a winter of inactivity. After a few days of rest, he had another bullpen session on Wednesday. Although Lawrence pitched the entire eight minutes on the mound, pitching coach Randy St. Claire thought Lawrence's pitching motion wasn't free and easy.
"He looked guarded on the mound, but he said he felt better," St. Claire said.
By Friday, the pain grew worse and, that evening, Lawrence had an MRI exam performed, which also revealed a lot of wear and tear on his rotator cuff.
Lawrence was acquired from the Padres in the Vinny Castilla trade last November. Lawrence took a physical before the trade was officially announced and there was no indication that Lawrence had arm problems.
"Obviously, it's disappointing," Lawrence said. "Injuries have never been an issue with me. I never felt any pain until the first day I showed up here.
"Hopefully, we'll get this cleared up and I'll be good and strong in August or September."
The Nationals will pay Lawrence a base salary of $3.5 million in 2006. Lawrence also is scheduled to make a roster bonus, which the Padres will pay for. There is also a club option for $7.5 million for 2007 and a buyout for $550,000. If the Nationals chose to buy out Lawrence, Washington will be responsible for $125,000, while San Diego will pay the rest.
Lawrence was one of five players -- along with Armas, Ryan Drese, Ramon Ortiz and Jon Rauch -- who were vying for the last three spots in the rotation.
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