02-14-2009, 03:29 AM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Extended rest and some physical therapy during the winter has the shoulder feeling strong, Zambrano said Friday as pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. ''I'm ready to go,'' he said.
If anything, Zambrano's right eye might be more of an immediate concern. An infection has pushed back the laser surgery he hoped to have by now to correct an astigmatism. He's using eye drops to clear the infection and said he hopes to make a decision regarding surgery in about three weeks.
''I may do it. I don't know yet,'' Zambrano said. ''There's a small chance that I do it right now or do it during the season. Let's see how the drops work.''
Said general manager Jim Hendry: ''I don't think it's anything we're worried about not being able to be controlled.''
The shoulder's fitness should be revealed soon.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Without confirming or denying the Sun-Times report last month that Rich Harden is pitching with a tear in his shoulder and treating it with therapy and conditioning, Hendry said the pitcher is dealing with issues no different than he has had for much of his career while choosing to avoid surgery that could sideline him for up to a year and a half.
''He's absolutely no different, except maybe stronger and better than the day we got him,'' Hendry said, referring to results of Harden's rigorous offseason program. ''He has issues that he had for years in Oakland. He's never had a surgery. And he has an area in his shoulder that you either continue to rehab it or, if you go in and operate on it, then you may miss 12 to 18 months. But it's certainly nothing that he hasn't been able to pitch with, at least the amount of time he pitched last year -- 24 to 25 starts.''<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Beyond taking a cautious approach with Harden, the Cubs don't anticipate limiting others' activities for health reasons -- beyond possibly cutting back pitcher Kevin Gregg's fielding as he proves the soundness of his knee after minor offseason surgery.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Link(Sun-Times)
If anything, Zambrano's right eye might be more of an immediate concern. An infection has pushed back the laser surgery he hoped to have by now to correct an astigmatism. He's using eye drops to clear the infection and said he hopes to make a decision regarding surgery in about three weeks.
''I may do it. I don't know yet,'' Zambrano said. ''There's a small chance that I do it right now or do it during the season. Let's see how the drops work.''
Said general manager Jim Hendry: ''I don't think it's anything we're worried about not being able to be controlled.''
The shoulder's fitness should be revealed soon.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Without confirming or denying the Sun-Times report last month that Rich Harden is pitching with a tear in his shoulder and treating it with therapy and conditioning, Hendry said the pitcher is dealing with issues no different than he has had for much of his career while choosing to avoid surgery that could sideline him for up to a year and a half.
''He's absolutely no different, except maybe stronger and better than the day we got him,'' Hendry said, referring to results of Harden's rigorous offseason program. ''He has issues that he had for years in Oakland. He's never had a surgery. And he has an area in his shoulder that you either continue to rehab it or, if you go in and operate on it, then you may miss 12 to 18 months. But it's certainly nothing that he hasn't been able to pitch with, at least the amount of time he pitched last year -- 24 to 25 starts.''<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Beyond taking a cautious approach with Harden, the Cubs don't anticipate limiting others' activities for health reasons -- beyond possibly cutting back pitcher Kevin Gregg's fielding as he proves the soundness of his knee after minor offseason surgery.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Link(Sun-Times)
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