Baseball - Kris Benson Out For 2007 Season

Kris Benson, Orioles pitcher, has torn the rotator cuff in his right shoulder and could be out for the entire 2007 season.

Orioles decided to quickly deal with this news and fill his spot in the starting rotation. They agreed to give free agent Steve Trachsel a one year contract worth $3 million. Trachel still has to have a physical after which the contract would be signed. The contract has a club option in 2008.

Last season Trachsel played for the New York Mets and he was 15-8 with a 4.97 ERA. In his baseball career, Trachsel is 134-143 with a 4.28 ERA.

Benson underwent an MRI which revealed a partial tear in his rotator cuff. Benson is expected to have a surgery to repair this tear but the operation has still not been scheduled. Mike Flanagan, Orioles executive vice president, expressed his disappointment about Benson getting injured but did not agree that he would out for the entire season.

All Flanagan said was that Benson would be out for at least couple of months. Tears in the rotator cuff usually requires around 8 to 12 months to repair in pitchers and Benson’s agent, Gregg Clifton, said that no one could predict how long Benson would take to recover.

Benson is due to receive $7.5 million this year and this was the final guaranteed season of his three year contract which was worth $22.5 million. However, Orioles hold a $7.5 million option for 2008 with a $500,000 buyout option.

Benson missed the 2001 season too after having an elbow ligament transplant surgery; while in 2003 he had tendonitis of the right shoulder and made only 18 starts.