Guzman Missing an “extended” Amount of Time?

In 2009, reliever Angel Guzman finally had a breakout year for the Cubs, as he was healthy for the first time in his Cubs career, and he was beginning to be used as the teams right handed set-up guy out of the bullpen. But, as the saying goes, “old habits, die hard”, as Angel Guzman is facing an “extended” absence from the game due to an injury.

Guzman, who already was behind in camp due to a knee surgery he had in January, has yet to pitch from a mound. As he has been having a “shoulder ailment”, which has been limiting his participation in team workouts and throwing sessions.

Guzman had an MRI done today, and we should now the results of the test at some point tomorrow. But the Cubs are already fearing the worse, as multiple reports are suggesting that he is going to need shoulder surgery, which would force Angel Guzman to miss several months of the season.

Unfortunately, I have a feeling that if Guzman’s shoulder does require surgery, this maybe his last run at it with the Cubs. And part of you should feel bad for Guzman, as he has dealt with injuries all his career, and this year it was coupled with the loss of his brother, who was shot to death.

But, as they say “the show must go on”. And that is what Lou Piniella is doing, as he anointed young right handed pitcher Esmailin Caridad the primary set up man for the Cubs bullpen.

However, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry stated today that the Cubs scouts will be out and about this spring, looking for an experienced late inning closer/reliever. And of course, I’m going to bring the two names we keep on hearing for the past month now, thanks to Bruce Levine, and they are San Diego Padre’s reliever Luke Gregerson, or Toronto Blue Jay’s reliever Jason Frasor.