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Rough week for star pitchers in spring training

FILE - In this March 8, 2015, file photo, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn, center, walks past manager Mike Matheny, left, witha member of the training staff as he leaves a spring training baseball game after being injured in the second inning against the Miami Marlins in Jupiter, Fla. Lynn won't make his scheduled start Friday after the righty strained his left hip flexor in St. Louis' game on Sunday. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) FILE - In this March 8, 2015, file photo, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn, center, walks past manager Mike Matheny, left, witha member of the training staff as he leaves a spring training baseball game after being injured in the second inning against the Miami Marlins in Jupiter, Fla. Lynn won't make his scheduled start Friday after the righty strained his left hip flexor in St. Louis' game on Sunday. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

By Associated Press March 13, 2015 3 min read

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) – Cliff Lee’s elbow. Marcus Stroman’s knee. Lance Lynn’s hip. Mike Minor’s shoulder.

It’s been a tough week for some of baseball’s best starters and there’s a long way to go before opening day.

Lee is trying to pitch for Philadelphia despite an injury that could eventually require season-ending surgery and possibly force the former AL Cy Young Award winner to retire.

“If I were to have the surgery, am I going to go through all that to try to pitch again, or am I going to shut it down? That’s a decision that I’ll have to make once that time comes, if that times comes,” Lee said.

Stroman, Toronto’s star right-hander, will miss the entire season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during fielding drills on Tuesday.