The A.J. Burnett deal is looking even more important right now. The Phillies will already start the season without Cole Hamels ready to pitch, thanks to tendinitis in Hamels' throwing shoulder. Now comes word that Phillies starter Jonathan Pettibone was unable to throw his bullpen session today due to "shoulder soreness."
Dennis Deitch of the Delaware County Times reports:
Jonathan Pettibone, who had a strong rookie campaign before an inflamed shoulder forced him to shut down in August, is having more shoulder soreness and didn't work off the mound Sunday morning as scheduled.
"I think we're just getting it at an early stage," said Pettibone, who had an MRI done last fall that showed no structural issues, "so hopefully we can just push going off the mound back a few days and go for there.
"I'm going to get on anti-inflammatories tonight and hopefully that shuts it down."
Pettibone finished last season on the disabled list. If Pettibone's health remains an issue, the Phillies will find themselves short on starters once again. The Phillies have in camp Cliff Lee, Kyle Kendrick, Roberto Hernandez, and Miguel Alfred Gonzalez in addition to Pettibone and Hamels. If Pettibone and Hamels cannot go, the Phillies might find themselves scrambling for depth during Spring Training, particularly if they feel that Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez is not ready to pitch in the major leagues.
