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Cleveland Indians' Scott Lewis on 15-day disabled list because of an elbow strain
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Dennis Manoloff
Plain Dealer Reporter

Tribe left-hander Scott Lewis was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of an elbow strain. The Indians made the decision Friday night, hours after Lewis departed from his season debut.

Lewis gave up four runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays. He threw 94 pitches.

Lewis underwent an MRI exam Saturday morning.

"It's been bugging me for a couple, three weeks now," he said. "I've pitched through some soreness before, and it usually fades away. I thought this would be the same, but it keeps getting worse. [Friday night], it got to the point where, on the last pitch, it really tightened up on me."

Lewis, 25, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2003 as a sophomore at Ohio State.

"I hope it's not my ligament, obviously," he said. "It feels a little different. This feels more like a flexor tendon. It's in the same area, but there's a lot of other stuff over there. I'm trying to stay positive."

Over the past couple of weeks, Lewis said, the ligament has tested OK.

Lewis, a third-round pick in 2004, made his major-league debut Sept. 10, 2008. He went 4-0 with a 2.63 ERA in four starts for the Tribe last season.

Including exhibition games, Lewis has allowed eight homers in his past 12 innings.

"I think it's going to be more of a muscle-soreness thing in his forearm," Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

Cleveland Indians' Scott Lewis on 15-day disabled list because of an elbow strain - Cleveland.com