One of the questions that fans of the Philadelphia Phillies have been asking throughout the entirety of the 2015 season is in regards to the whereabouts of 13-year veteran left hander Cliff Lee.
Lee, 36, was placed on the 60-day disabled list on March 16 with a left forearm strain, and largely hasn't been seen since, even in the dugout during games.
The four-time All-Star and 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner started in just 13 games last season for the Phillies, experiencing a similar, nagging injury.
The following is a timeline of events surrounding Lee's injury woes, and multiple road to recoveries over the past two seasons.
Cliff Lee Injury Timeline
Lee signed to a five-year deal worth $120 million, plus an option for 2016, on December 14, 2010.
The $27.5 million club option for next season would have been made guaranteed if Lee threw 200 innings this season. In addition, the left hander would have to not finish the year on the disabled list with an injury to either his left elbow or left shoulder.
Lee was owed $25 million this season, and he has a $12.5 million buyout for the next, totaling $37.5 million. Given his injury, insurance is likely contributing to some extent to help the Phillies offset this cost.
Regardless whether Lee is in recovery or not, he should still be traveling and participating with the team in some capacity. Perhaps serving in the mentor role would be beneficial for rookies such as right hander Aaron Nola.
The two pitchers share common aspects regarding their road to the majors, and could have worked well together upon Nola's promotion last month.
Lee's home town in Benton, Arkansas is approximately 296 miles north of Nola's in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Also, Lee made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians at age 23, while Nola was 22 when he put on red pinstripes for the first time in his debut.
Fans in Philadelphia do not dislike Lee. He brought and meant a lot to the city as the team's window of success was at its peak following the 2008 World Series Championship. In 12 starts leading up to the 2009 postseason, Lee went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA and 74 strikeouts over 79 2/3 innings.
Lee's masterful outing in the opening game of the 2009 World Series, the first Fall Classic game ever at the new Yankee Stadium, will never be forgotten. He tossed nine innings, allowing just one unearned run on six hits and ten strikeouts.
That offseason, Lee was dealt to the Seattle Mariners for a slew of prospects that never came to materialize with the organization. When it was announced, through Twitter during the 2010 holiday season, that he would be returning to Philadelphia instead of signing with the Yankees, fans rejoiced and were ready for the road back to Red October, even during football season.
Unfortunately, the Phillies came up short against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Division Series in 2011, and they haven't been back to the playoffs since. From 2012-on, Lee was 24-22 with a 3.11 ERA over 74 starts, allowing 500 hits, 72 walks and 178 earned runs in 515 innings.
Lee's second stint in Philadelphia will be forever remembered as a disappointment, and a complete contrast from his first in 2009. He will likely retire from the game of baseball this offseason, assuming surgery will be needed.
In the few remaining weeks of the season, 44 games to be exact, Lee should leave his mark on the game. This surely cannot be accomplished through being absent with the club all-together.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
