Voila_Capture 2014-07-31_09-24-59_PM

Even though the trade deadline came and went without so much as Ruben Amaro rolling out of bed and checking his phone, the Phillies still could’ve moved Cliff Lee before the end of the season if he were to clear waivers (probable). In fact, you could argue that it was likely he would get dealt. But nope. Not anymore. Whatever remaining value he had is gone. Urinated away into the D.C. night.

He hurt himself in the third inning tonight. After throwing his first pitch to Denard Span, he walked off the mound, pointed toward his elbow, and basically took himself out of the game. Here, watch:

Lee_elbow

I’m not a doctor, but I play one on this blog, and that to me looks like the sort of reaction pitchers have before they need Tommy John surgery. It’s once again Lee’s flexor-pronator in his left elbow. Jim Salisbury explains:

The official word from the Phillies was that Lee suffered a recurrence of the flexor-pronator tendon strain that had sent him to the disabled list on May 20. Given that Lee missed two months with that injury and now has a similar problem, it’s not a stretch to believe that his season is over.

Lee, who turns 36 in August, is owed the remainder of $25 million for this season and is guaranteed $37.5 million after this season. How this injury impacts next season is unclear, but if Lee were to require surgery, he could miss time in 2015, as well.

That’s just great. Well done, Rube. Well done.