NewsLohse puts various ailments behind him
Right-hander dealt with injuries, aches and stomach bug
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
05/14/09 8:11 PM ET
PITTSBURGH -- Just about all of Kyle Lohse's various ailments have healed, and he's ready to pitch.Lohse has dealt with no fewer than four physical maladies in the past few weeks, and he hasn't pitched without some sort of issue since April 18. He's sustained a right knee injury and contended with a sore back, a stomach bug and left elbow discomfort. But he says everything, save the elbow pain, has gone away.
"Pretty good week," Lohse said. "I'm right back to where I need to be. You're always dealing with something, but my back feels good and my knee feels good. My elbow is still sore, but it was a normal work week, finally. I was happy with that. I'm happy with how I feel. So I'll get back out there, get back on track. It's been a weird four weeks or whatever."
The elbow discomfort resulted from being hit by a pitch in his May 4 start, against the Phillies. Since then he hasn't really been effective -- he struggled for the remainder of that game, and he gave up seven runs in his most recent start, against Cincinnati. The Cardinals hope that with Lohse feeling better, his early-season effectiveness will return as well.
"I'm sure [the injuries] had an effect," manager Tony La Russa said. "He pitched really well when he was sick, but sick is not the same as hurt. He was pitching pretty well before he got hit on the elbow that day."
Lohse is scheduled to start on Friday night, when the Cardinals begin a nine-game homestand against Milwaukee.
Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
