Reds closer Ryan Madson, who's been battling elbow discomfort all spring, was scratched from his scheduled appearance on Friday, and now he's on his way back to Cincinnati for further examination, reports Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "He won't be analyzed until [Saturday]," said manager Dusty Baker. "He went back to Cincinnati. We won't know anything until [Saturday]."
Obviously, this is concerning news for the Reds, who have spent much of the winter improving the bullpen. Signing Madson to a bargain contract (one year, $8.5 million with an $11-milllion option/$2.5-million buyout for 2013) was the capstone of GM Walt Jocketty's winter efforts. While Madson had previously sounded optimistic about his status, the Reds probably can't help but entertain worst-case scenarios at this point.
The good news (besides, of course, the possibility that Madson isn't seriously injured) is that the Reds have back-up closer options in
