Sep 7, 2008 12:54 pm US/Eastern
Season Apparently Over For Orioles Rookie Johnson
BALTIMORE (AP) ―
Orioles rookie reliever Jim Johnson is apparently done for the season with a shoulder injury.
"The doctors and trainers are suggesting that I get shut down for the rest of the year. There are some things in there that will heal over time with a little bit of treatment," the right-hander said Saturday.
An MRI revealed that Johnson does not have a torn labrum.
"He's just having trouble getting loose," manager Dave Trembley said. "The MRI they had, they put it side-to-side with (an earlier one), and it didn't show much difference. Some inflammation."
Pitching primarily in the eighth inning as a setup man for closer George Sherrill, Johnson was 2-4 with a 2.23 ERA and one save in 54 games.
"Nobody wants to end the season unhealthy. Obviously our goals are to have a good season, but a healthy season," Johnson said. "It's a little frustrating, but it's good that there's not any major structural damage. That's good news and bad news together."
"They're telling me a couple of weeks, and then by that time, I don't know how much good it would do to get him ready for the last six games of the season. He's not going to pick up a ball. It's highly doubtful he will pitch again," said Trembley.
When he was in uniform, Johnson made a difference.
"Considering that I didn't make the team (out of spring training), and being able to help out the way I did, pitching in certain spots and getting different experiences throughout the year, it's an experience that's a big plus for me," he said.
(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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