Matt Cain “going to be out a while,” rest of 2014 season in question

Matt Cain was placed on the 15-day disabled list last week, and while his diagnosis was unofficially a “cranky” elbow, there was hope some rest would make it less cranky and allow him to return to the San Francisco Giants starting rotation sooner rather than later.

According to Brian Sabean, it’s going to be later…maybe much later. Sabean told Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News that Cain was “going to be out a while.”

With the addition of Jake Peavy to the starting rotation in a trade that sends Edwin Escobar and Heath Hembree to Boston for Peavy and about $3 million of his remaining salary, it was pretty safe to assume things with Cain were not going so well. In fact, Sabean also said that Cain is not improving and would be sent for additional testing.

Sabean couldn’t commit to Cain pitching again this season, saying he is following the lead of the organization’s medical team.

It’s safe to go ahead and assume we will not see Cain pitch the rest of the 2014 season. Maybe I’m wrong, but with a move like the one made this morning, the Giants know they can’t expect it or depend on it, especially not in the middle of a playoff race with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In fact, depending on what the additional tests show, whether Cain will or will not need

surgery (first tests said no) or whether his bone chips just need to be cleaned out, it may be best to shut him down, let him get the procedure he needs done, and do what you can with what you have or can get.

When Sabean was asked about Cain returning by Alex Pavlovic, the answer didn’t sound hopeful.

"Sabean couldn’t commit to Cain pitching again this season, saying he is following the lead of the organization’s medical team."

Even if Cain doesn’t need surgery and comes back, it’s clear that his arm isn’t right. If three stints on the disabled list isn’t enough to convince you that his arm needs more than “rest,” then you are delusional and should probably see someone about that.

Also, for those asking if Peavy will replace Ryan Vogelsong in the rotation “once Cain is back” clearly isn’t getting the message, and haven’t been paying attention. Cain is 2-7 with a 4.18 ERA, while Vogelsong is 5-7 with a 3.99 ERA. Oh yeah, Vogelsong’s run-support this season has been non-exsistent. In fact, the Giants score just one single run for him in his four starts between June 21 and July 21. He’s 1-7 in games where the Giants scored 2 runs or less. If the Giants do manage to score more than 2 runs, he’s 4-0. He’s been “Cain’d” more than Matt Cain himself this season.

All that to say, if Cain returns and I had to choose who I’d rather have on the mound, I’d choose Vogelsong and Jake Peavy. But don’t worry, I feel pretty confident that is not a decision anyone is going to have to make this season.