Silva has fraying in pitching shoulder

Published 8:05 pm Tuesday, May 19, 2009

An MRI on Carlos Silva’s right shoulder has revealed an internal impingement and fraying, according to Dr. Edward Khalfayan, the Mariners’ medical director.

What does that mean? Hopefully, we’ll find out later this week after Silva gets a second opinion (insert Rodney Dangerfield joke here).

I’m no doctor, but I’ve heard trainers say that every shoulder has some degree of fraying. As for the impingement, we rolled our eyes last year when Erik Bedard got a similar report, which turned out to be a cyst that was surgically removed.

This is all very interesting because while Silva was in the midst of his struggles, the Mariners said it wasn’t a health issue. We also heard that last year before learning that Bedard’s shoulder was injured.

In other health news:

-Ryan Rowland-Smith threw three innings at extended spring training today and will throw in the bullpen at Thursday at Safeco Field, then probably join the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers on Saturday on a rehab assignment. Manager Don Wakamatsu expects Rowland-Smith to be ready to rejoin the Mariners the first week of June.

-Left-handed reliever Tyler Johnson also is expected to leave extended spring training and join the Rainiers later this week. He hasn’t pitched since 2007 becauase of rotator cuff surgery.

-Right-hander Chad Cordero (labrum surgery) continues to build his arm strength in Arizona and there’s no timetable on his return.

-Third-base prospect Matt Tuiasosopo had bone spurs removed from his right elbow today in Los Angeles and should need only a short recovery period.