JUPITER, Fla. (KMOX) -- After four days of waiting through an examination of his right shoulder, and a subsequent second opinion of imaging results of that shoulder, Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty learned Friday he will miss at least the start of the regular season after receiving a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection.
John Mozeliak, the team's president of baseball operations, made the announcement Thursday afternoon at the club's spring training complex. Flaherty had his shoulder examined here on Tuesday, the second day of camp. By Friday, he was across the country, being seen by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, an orthopedic surgeon based in Los Angeles.
The small tear is a SLAP tear, which stands for "superior labrum from anterior to posterior." Typical treatment begins with rest and physical therapy. Doctors believe Flaherty could pitch through the small labrum tear, according to Mozeliak.
"Our fingers are crossed that this is something that he can work through and get back on the mound," Mozeliak said.
Flaherty was placed on the injured list twice last season. First, on May 31, he suffered an oblique injury while swinging the bat and missed the next 2 1/2 months. After returning on August 13, he went back on the injured list 12 days later with a shoulder strain.
Per MLB lockout rules, Flaherty and the Cardinals were unable to communicate in that 99-day period during the offseason. On the second day of spring training, he was examined after experiencing some discomfort in the shoulder.
While Flaherty still has a chance to return to action, it depends on how the shoulder responds to the injection and therapy.
"Anytime you're dealing with this, it's not great news," Mozeliak acknowleged. "So we have to see if we can't manage through this from a physical therapy standpoint, and hopefully we can get him back on the mound.
In the meantime, it's an opportunity for a number of pitchers to grab a fifth spot in the starting rotation. Jake Woodford would appear to have the inside track, being groomed as a starter and coming off an excellent finish to his 2021 campaign. But the Cardinals did acquire Drew VerHagen via free agency for the ability to have starting pitching depth if needed. Aaron Brooks, who struck out five Astros in two innings, would also be a candidate. Johan Oviedo has also seen time as a starter.
And Mozeliak made it a point to mention the two innings of work Friday by the team's top pitching prospect, Matthew Liberatore, the only lefthander in the competition.
Mozeliak also announced that Alex Reyes, the team's All-Star closer a year ago, has a frayed labrum in his right shoulder. Reyes received a stem cell injection and is on a timetable for either late May or early June.
The Cardinals officially announced the free agent signing of lefthanded-hitting outfielder Corey Dickerson, who passed a physical on Friday.
"He fits the profile that we're looking for," Mozeliak said. "Gives us some flexibility in the outfield, but most importantly, from the left side he's done very well. It sort of touches on that protection, too, because when you look at our club... you're one injury away."