Ruben Amaro Jr. unsure when Cliff Lee will be able to return

The unthinkable happened this past week when Cliff Lee went down and was placed on the disabled list with an arm injury. For all the pitcher injuries and seasons lost to Tommy John in 2014, Lee seemed like one guy we could count on not to fall victim to an injury.

An MRI showed a Grade 1/Grade 2 strain strain in Lee’s pitching elbow. That was the good news, but general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was sure to point out that the Phillies still do not have a sense of when the left-handed veteran will be able to come back. Quoted over on ESPN.com:

"“We just don’t know yet. It could be two weeks. It could be three weeks. It could be four weeks. Who knows? It could be 30 weeks. We think it will be shorter. It’s a pretty mild strain. … We just have to be really cautious with him.”"

With good health Lee faced the prospect of a summer filled with trade rumors and a possible relocation. Asked about how this injury will affect trade talks, Amaro said the following:

"“I don’t have any idea yet about that. Frankly, we really don’t know what we have. … There’s a lot of parity and a lot of mediocrity out there — including us. We’re playing like a mediocre club. We’re playing like a .500 ballclub.”"

As a general comment that might be true, but one might question how much mediocrity there is in the NL East with the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals.