Gload and his balky hip won't go under the knife

The Phillies released a series of updates from the postseason MASH unit, including news that Ryan Howard has started putting weight on his damaged left foot. [Official release]

To summarize the release, Howard has begun a rehabilitation program for the torn Achilles suffered on the season's final play. Placido Polanco and Hunter Pence are rehabbing from sports hernia procedures in Miami and Philadelphia, respectively. Cole Hamels, meanwhile, is "cleared to progress back to his off-season program" following hernia surgery; Hamels also had surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow. Both procedures were considered minor. Jose Contreras is on track to start throwing in January, according to the report.

The biggest surprise is that pending free agent Ross Gload will rehab his hip and won't have an arthroscopic procedure on the torn labrum in his hip. He will instead rehab in the offseason. Jim Salisbury reported that Gload decided against surgery because it would be too risky. See Sully's latest off-season report here.

Comments

[HammRadio]

Good things there is always value in holding a roster spot for a guy who can hit singles, can't run and can't play the field...

Maybe its time to hang'em up, Gload.

[Scotch Man]

No offense to Gload but I couldn't really care less about what he does. He's through with the Phillies (at least I think so).

[MG]

Gload's trying to get a guaranteed deal next year. Can't blame him for not wanting to go under the knife because if he did I highly doubt another team would give him a guaranteed deal. Fails into the 'spring invite' category due to his age/health status/production questions.

[MG]

Meant to say 'minor league deal' with a guaranteed salary if he makes the Opening Day roster.

I can't imagine Gload will get a guaranteed deal that pays him $750k or $1M.

[MG]

Valverde's option got picked up for $9M. Seems like Madson will have a hard time getting a deal that Lidge got 3 years ago (3 yrs/$36M) but I could see him price tag being somewhere slightly south of that.

My bet is he gets 3 yrs/$32-$34M from some one.

[Fumphis]

Heh. Gload may think of surgery as risky, but that's a moot point if his abilities are hampered by his injury so much that he is only borderline MLB talent, a level which at times he appeared to be hovering around for a while in 2011. Assuming the potential downsides of the surgery won't harm his everyday non-athletic motor functions (admittedly a big assumption), you'd think he should go for it if it could mean it saves his career.

[Willard Preacher]

I know we're not still viewing him as "injured" but I'd take a great deal of peace of mind away from any Phillies.com update that had a simple one liner - 2B Chase Utley has begun an off-season regimen that is not too vigorous and is designed to allow for his patellar tendinitis to be a non-issue come Spring Training.

Chase, please just chill out on the treadmill, or whatever, ok?

[GTown_Dave]

Didn't the Phillies say during the season that Gload's condition wouldn't improve w/ surgery, only rest, which is why he decided to play through? I remember hearing something along those lines, anyway, which is why today's news doesn't surprise me. I'm just worried the Phillies will re-sign the guy. He has no prayer of hitting a HR, can't run & can't play defense, which makes him useless. I'm still disgusted Charlie let Gload PH in the NLDS, which was the quintessential example of an ample gut overwhelming a tiny brain.

[GTown_Dave]

Ganglion Thing ==>

[Dragon]

Forget Gload, he is a waste of a roster spot. Get G. Dobbs who can play 3rd, 1st, OF and pinch hit.

[mal-vern]

larussa celebrating a WS title is becoming more and more like a reality... enough to make me ill

[rauls grandpa]

It I was another injured athlete doing rehab near a Phillies player i would feel uncomfortable that I may come down with a sports hernia being within 5 yards on them.