Astros reliever Matt Albers said Wednesday he could be out of action for another three to four weeks while he recovers from tendinitis in his right shoulder. Albers had a cortisone injection in the shoulder Tuesday and will head to Kissimmee, Fla., at some point within the next week to continue to rehab.
Albers, on the disabled list since April 22, tried to throw a simulated game Friday in Baltimore but didn’t feel right warming up and shut it down. He’s since underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage to the shoulder.
“Throwing at 60, 70 percent was fine, and I really tried to ramp it up and the pain came back,” he said. “I took the next step and got an MRI and structurally everything looked good, which is a good sign. There’s just inflammation in there. That’s what’s causing the pain. They went ahead and gave me a couple of cortisone shots and I will take a couple of weeks off and see where I’m at. I’m not exactly sure, but I think it’s a good three to four weeks before I come back.”
Albers, signed to a contract this offseason, has pitched in eight games this season, allowing one earned run in 10 innings. He was on the disabled list from June 26-Oct. 21, 2008 with right shoulder inflammation.
“It’s definitely discouraging,” he said. “Obviously, you’d love to be out there helping the team. I pride myself in being pretty durable and I haven’t had any issues with being on the DL, except for 2008. It’s definitely unfortunate, but it just kind of happens that you have to deal with it. I tried to come back quickly and it wasn’t working, so I have to take time and make sure it’s right.”
Meanwhile, Astros reliever Anthony Bass felt some discomfort on the right side of his torso while playing catch Tuesday and has been diagnosed with a strained intercostal muscle. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday.
“It’s sore,” Bass said. “I’m going to give it time and ice. Everyone’s different. It all depends on how the body responds to the treatment and then I’ll be back.”
Bass, 26, is 1-0 with two saves and a 4.50 ERA in 15 games for the Astros this season. He leads the club with four holds and has allowed a .239 opponent’s batting average this year.
“It’s not disappointing because I was throwing the ball hard, it’s disappointing because I want to get out there and help the team win,” he said. “These things happen. It’s unfortunate. I’ll be back. Hopefully the treatment responds and I come back here soon, but we’ll see. There’s really no timetable.”
