Programming note: Pirates-Giants coverage starts today at 6:30 p.m. with Giants Pregame Live on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Giants right-hander Matt Cain will seek a second opinion on his inflamed right elbow from noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, a club source confirmed.
Cain, 29, is on the disabled list with an arm usage injury for the first time in his career. The Giants hoped a cortisone shot in his elbow just before the All-Star break would enable him to stay in the rotation after 12 days of rest. But Cain’s elbow remained sore when he tried to play catch July 18 in Miami, and it hasn’t gotten any better.
When announcing the trade for Jake Peavy, GM Brian Sabean said that Cain would seek a second opinion and undergo further tests. It’s been long known that Cain has loose bodies in his elbow but initial scans did not show any major ligament damage.
[RELATED: Injury updates on Cain, Belt, Pagan]
Sabean did acknowledge there might be a “worst case behind the scenes” with Cain, who is owed $20 million in each of the next three seasons.
Andrews has performed Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery on scores of pitchers over the years.
CSN Bay Area analyst Shawn Estes first mentioned the visit to Dr. Andrews in an appearance on 95.7 FM.