Yankees Reliever Feliciano Could Also Miss 2012 Season

The last time we heard news regarding lefty reliever Pedro Feliciano, we learned that him and Damaso Marte would not pitch this season and were on track to return in 2012. Well in the last 24 hours, we have learned otherwise about Feliciano.

The Yankees announced late Wednesday night that the left-handed reliever underwent rotator cuff surgery last week after months of trying to rehab a shoulder injury he suffered in spring training. And to furthur legitimize just how bad this injury has been, let me tell you who performed the surgery: Dr. James Andrews.

The unfortunate part about this story is the timing of the surgery, because it now means that Feliciano will likely miss the entire 2012 season. In otherwords, it is very possible that he will never throw a single pitch during his 2-year contract with the Yankees.

The former Mets reliever signed a two-year, $8 million free-agent deal last winter to join the Yankees, who were willing to overlook his heavy workload because of his performance. The only way Feliciano will ever pitch in Pinstripes is if the team picks up a $4.5 million option for the 2013 season, but one would assume that is now very unlikely.