Joe Blanton Dealing With Nerve Damage In Elbow

Blanton’s ligament is just fine - this we know - but the nerve damage is new, and the severity of the problem won’t be known until Blanton undergoes more tests. What’s clear, though, is that Blanton’s 2011 season is in jeopardy. And not just as a starter - overall. He could conceivably return as a reliever, but there’s no guarantee.

Obviously, it’s good news that Blanton doesn’t need to go under the knife, but when you consider that Blanton will need to rebuild his arm strength after he resumes throwing, he could be out until the All-Star break.

Blanton’s already had an MRI on his elbow that showed no significant structural damage, but he’s due for another on Friday, just to make sure there’s nothing new, and that nothing got missed the first time. Those results will determine the length of time for which he’s sidelined.

Blanton hasn’t pitched especially well this year, so every start he cedes to Worley makes things especially interesting. He’s already the weak link in the rotation best known for winning the 2011 and 2012 World Series, so the last thing he needs is some hotshot rookie coming up and making him look even worse.

Given that, there was some worry about Blanton’s health. The team said it’d have a better idea about Blanton’s immediate future after he threw a bullpen session on Wednesday. Well, that bullpen session’s over. Todd Zolecki?

There you go. Blanton’s elbow still isn’t 100%, but the Phillies aren’t planning to skip or delay his next start because of it, figuring it’s just a little rust he has to shake off after spending time on the DL. We’ll see if Blanton feels better after his next start than he did after his last one.

Now the bad news. Or at least, the not-so-good news. While Blanton threw, the elbow that sent him to the disabled list in the first place may not be feeling so hot. Writes Jim Salisbury:

Added pitching coach Rich Dubee:

It looks like the Phillies’ vaunted pitching rotation, recently down a couple of starters, is about to start getting whole soon. From the Inquirer’s Matt Gelb:

Blanton’s been listed as the Phillies’ starter, so this deal looks as done as a deal can be, 24 hours before the actual thing.

If Blanton’s already throwing without discomfort, then that’s an excellent sign, and though he still has some time to go between now and the date that he’s eligible to come off the DL, all indications are currently positive. You usually see pitchers end up getting a brief rehab assignment after DL stints like this one, but no such rehab assignment looks to be in the cards.

The MRI to which Amaro refers is one that Blanton had on Thursday, showing no structural damage. There was some concern because Blanton had been feeling discomfort for a few starts in a row, but the exam seems to have eased everyone’s mind.

So we’ll see. Odds are, Blanton’s back before long, but there exists some possibility that he’ll have to be opened up, which would knock him out for at least several weeks.