The good news is Orioles reliever Jim Johnson doesn't have a significant labrum or rotator cuff tear in his right shoulder that will endanger his future. However, a magnetic resonance imaging Friday on his shoulder did reveal enough damage that team doctors recommended that Johnson be shut down for the rest of the season.
"There's some inflammation," said Johnson, who hadn't pitched since last Sunday. "There's some wear and tear and stuff that the doctors saw. There is a little bit [of] fluid up there. There's no serious tear. I think every pitcher here has a tear in some part of his arm. It's good news that it's not something serious. It's just something that is going to take time to heal."
Johnson wasn't specific about what the MRI revealed but did say it wasn't a labrum tear, which was the injury that ended the seasons of teammates Matt Albers and Troy Patton.
"It's not [the] labrum," he said. "I don't know all the specifics, but I know there is fluid there that is causing the inflammation. Their suggestion is just to rest and shut it down."
The injury ends a strong rookie season for the 25-year-old, who started the season as a starter for Triple-A Norfolk and ended it as one of the American League's most effective setup men. He went 2-4 with a 2.33 ERA, allowing 17 earned runs in 68 2/3 innings.
"The season technically isn't over, but personally, it's a different role than I've ever thrown in before," Johnson said. "I guess it's a big positive to kind of get a foothold, I think. I'm optimistic going into next year. It's definitely disappointing to not finish the season healthy, but it's good news that it's not something that's serious. I guess you take the good news with the bad."
Johnson, who said team doctors told him his injury will require a couple of weeks of treatment and recovery, isn't sure what his role will be next season. The Orioles could decide to move him back into a starter, or he could be asked to close, depending on the health of Chris Ray and whether George Sherrill is traded.
Welcome back
A day after the Orioles picked up the 2009 option on manager Dave Trembley's contract, hitting coach Terry Crowley, pitching coach Rick Kranitz, first base coach John Shelby and bullpen coach Alan Dunn all said they would like to be back next season. Trembley invited his whole coaching staff back for the 2009 season.
