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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 11:21 a.m., Saturday, June 7, 2008

MLB: Detroit pitcher likely out for rest of seaston

Associated Press

DETROIT — Tigers right-hander Jeremy Bonderman likely will miss the rest of the season after undergoing medical procedures related to a blood clot.

The condition was discovered yesterday in a vein in Bonderman's pitching shoulder. He underwent a procedure to break up the clot that night before having an angioplasty this morning at the Detroit Medical Center.

The blood clot was caused by thoracic outlet compression syndrome, the same ailment that sidelined fellow Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers for much of the 2007 season.

"Think of the vein like a straw, and it was pinched," Tigers trainer Kevin Rand said. "That's what thoracic syndrome does."

Bonderman, who is 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA in 12 starts this season, was placed on the 15-day disabled list before Saturday's game against the Cleveland Indians.

"If surgery is in fact indicated, he will probably be lost for the season," Rand said. "Saying anything other than that is speculation, because there's too many further examinations to be done."

Bonderman will be replaced in the rotation by rookie Armando Galarraga, who went 4-2 in eight starts while filling in for Dontrelle Willis.

"Times like this is when you find out about your team and how tough you are," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "We feel bad for Jeremy Bonderman, obviously, but it is in the proper hands and it will get taken care of."