MLB teams
Mark Saxon, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Brandon League out two months

MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Reliever Brandon League will be out at least two months after an MRI and two doctors' visits confirmed there is serious damage to his right shoulder, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Friday.

Mattingly said surgery has been discussed, but for now they will try a "conservative" route of at least three weeks of rest before League picks up a baseball. Mattingly did not specify the nature of the injury.

League, 32, said he consulted in person with two doctors, Neal ElAttrache and well-known orthopedist James Andrews, while in Las Vegas and a third orthopedist studied his MRI readings. He said they all recommended trying to rest and rehab the injury before undergoing any procedures.

League said he considered clean-up surgery, but figured his chances of returning to the big leagues would have been 40 percent or less, based on the success rate for other pitchers coming off shoulder surgery.

"I feel like crap," League said. "You work three or four months to avoid this stuff. The fact I get this news and felt the best I've ever felt in spring training is kind of devastating, but I'm past that. I had my time to sulk."

League had a 2.57 ERA while pitching in 63 games last year. He signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract entering the 2013 season.

The Dodgers' bullpen already took a blow when closer Kenley Jansen had foot surgery just before camp began. Mattingly has not yet named a closer while Jansen, who is expected to return some time in early May, is out.

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