No Timetable Set For Lirette Return

Chase Lirette has had to acclimate himself to several things this year. He has had to make a transition from a reliever to a starter and learn how to prepare himself during his four off days. He has had to make a transition to a full season of professional baseball and the grind that goes with that.

His greatest challenge this season however will be one that sees him try to rehab a shoulder without really knowing when he will be able to throw off the mound again.

"As soon as I know, I will let you know," stated Lirette when asked about the timetable on a possible return. "I just started playing catch (on Wednesday) from flat ground. I have a little tendonitis going on right now".

When talking to Lansing manager Gary Cathcart about it, he also alludes that no timetable is set for his return and a possible cause is yet to be determined.

"He had another MRI this week and they really didn't see much," stated Catchcart. "We are sending it down to our doctors in Florida and have them take a look at it. So far, we haven't seen anything structurally wrong, but he is still quite a ways away from pitching".

While making a transition from reliver to a starter, Lirette acknowledged to Inside The Dome ealier in the season that it was a different program that he had to get used to from his days of relieving.

"I started some last season in Auburn. I'm trying to get back into the routine of doing it. Before last season I hadn't started since my sophomore year in college", the young right hander stated in an interview in April.

Still he is not willing to blame the transition in his throwing program for his injury, instead he looks at it as bad luck.

"I think it is just a series of misfortunate events. I don't think that it is anything that can be blamed on that," said Lirette. "It would have happened either way (starting or relieving) I guess. I don't know"

While he is unable to pitch, Lirette is taking the time to reflect on maybe some things that he can change in his offseason conditioning program to better strengthen his shoulder and prepare himself for the next full season.

"Of course I have got to make it stronger. I don't want to keep running into the same problem", he states. "I'm going to talk to my strength coach and do everything that I possible can to come back next year hopefully without this problem".

While no timetable is set for his return, Lirette is reluctant to totally write off this season.

"Hopefully it will only be a couple more weeks at the most", states Lirette.

Supensions Looming In Lansing

In addition to the injuries that are picking at the Lansing line up right now, they will also have to play short handed in the near future do to suspensions that are expected to be ruled on for a bench clearing brawl that happened in West Michigan.

"As soon as I hear from George Spelius (Midwest League President), I will let these guys know. There will be some suspensions. I don't know for how long or who yet", stated Catchart. "I talked with his secretary (on Thursday) and he is getting close to making his decision, but I don't know anything yet about who or for how long".