Andrew Miller (right knee) has been shut down for 5/7 days with patellofemoral snydrome.

What is patellofemoral pain syndrome?

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is pain in the front of the knee. It frequently occurs in teenagers, manual laborers, and athletes. It sometimes is caused by wearing down, roughening, or softening of the cartilage under the kneecap.
What causes patellofemoral pain syndrome?

Patellofemoral pain syndrome may be caused by overuse, injury, excess weight, a kneecap that is not properly aligned (patellar tracking disorder), or changes under the kneecap.
What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of patellofemoral pain syndrome is knee pain, especially when you are sitting with bent knees, squatting, jumping, or using the stairs (especially going down stairs). You may also experience occasional knee buckling, in which the knee suddenly and unexpectedly gives way and does not support your body weight. It is also common to have a catching, popping, or grinding sensation when you are walking or when you are moving your knee.
How is patellofemoral pain syndrome diagnosed?

Your doctor will conduct a medical history and physical exam to determine the cause of your pain. In some cases, imaging tests including X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be done. These tests allow a doctor to view the tissues inside your knee to rule out damage to the structure of the knee and the tissues connected to it.


Patellofemoral pain syndrome can be relieved by avoiding activities that make symptoms worse.

Avoid sitting, squatting, or kneeling in the bent-knee position for long periods of time.
Adjust a bicycle or exercise bike so that the resistance is not too great and the seat is at an appropriate height. The rider should be able to spin the pedals of an exercise bike without shifting weight from side to side. And the rider's legs should not be fully extended at the lowest part of the pedal stroke.
Avoid bent-knee exercises, such as squats or deep knee bends.

Other methods to relieve pain include:

Taking nonprescription anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to decrease swelling, stiffness, and pain. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Ice and rest. You can also try heat to see if it helps.
Physical therapy exercises. Exercises may include stretching to increase flexibility and decrease tightness around the knee, and straight-leg raises and other exercises to strengthen the quadriceps muscle.
Taping or using a brace to stabilize the kneecap.
Surgery.

Six years ago on this date:

If the Indians play .500 ball from now to the end of the season, they will win 89 games.
Currently, they are playing at a .566 rate.

For the Twins to catch up, they would need to go 22-10 (.680) Currently, they are playing .515 ball.

For KC to catch up, they would need to go 25-8 (.758) Currently, they are playing .496 ball.

So basically Miller's injury is still a fancy word for tendonitis. He lands hard on that leg and over time it hurts. He went deep into the postseason, pitched the WBC, then Tito overused him (by Tito's own words, and there were many times I was surprised he was out there - but their early season doldrums tempted Tito to do so)

This is an overuse injury. He overused.

Taking nonprescription anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to decrease swelling, stiffness, and pain.

There is no doubt in my mind he pitches again this year, a cortisone shot is a great short term fix.

There are also much stronger anti inflammatories (i.e. Celebrex) than ibuprofen (ibuprofen is Mickey Mouse stuff for us commoners) which can be tried before cortisone - which is basically a super anti inflammatory.

Ultimately he needs an offseason - but IMO that can be put off with those measures.

Of course even better this surge the team is on removes any pressure to rush him back. He can easily sit out another month and still be ready for the postseason.

Pretty encouraging.

Took a look at AL pitching stats after that Zero=Zero=Zero weekend and I find:



Indians with lowest AL ERA at 3.60 [second is RedSox at 3.73]
Indians with lowest AL WHIP at 1.20 [second is NY at 1.23]
Indians with 2nd lowest BA against, .239 [NY is first at .233]
Indians first in Strikeouts, 1293, Houston just 3 behind
Remarkably Indians LAST in walks 348 which gives them a K/BB of 3.72; Boston is 3.43, Houston 3.06

Meanwhile on offense, we're second in walks, 482, and second last in strikeouts, 937, with a K/BB of 1.94. Everyone else is over, usually well over, 2/1

Magic number is now 27.
Here's the link to daily updates:
https://twitter.com/ClevelandMagic

I actually think Callaway is one damn underrated guy civ. Look at this season, he managed to paste it together again.

Another win, more time for Miller to get as close to 100% as possible before playoffs.

As well, September 1 provides massive bullpens so they get to rest all bullpen arms.

Add to that time for Tomlin to get back to speed. Salazar as well. Brantley too for position players.

Stuff happens, but we have the potential to be much healthier going into the postseason than last year.

Took me a while to remember who Callaway is. But yes he seems to be top notch coach.

Not just Callaway, we have pitching coaches all up and down our system that are well respected and doing great jobs.

Tony Arnold at AA does a great job. When we have major leagues struggling they are even some times sent to AA to rehab and work with him. Most recently Danny Salazar.

Matter of fact, I would argue a number of our pitching prospects seem to take a step back after going to AAA. Now I know it is a higher level with more experienced hitters. But I see guys seem to digress in areas that makes me wonder.

Ruben Niebla is a roving pitching instructor, and Matt Blake is a roving pitching instructor in the lower levels. I think all these guys are doing great jobs.

I love the way almost all of our pitching prospects are throwing strikes and walking few batters now. It's obviously something the coordinators and organization is pushing.

I love the way almost all of our pitching prospects are throwing strikes and walking few batters now. It's obviously something the coordinators and organization is pushing.

With a few very notable exceptions in Lake County. I don't blame Jason Blanton, coach there, for all that ails Brady Aiken, Juan Hillman and Micah Miniard, but their failure could well mean he does not return next season.

Roster expansion comes on Friday. Most interesting question is if Francisco Mejia gets a call; he's on the 40 man roster already so no complicated moves needed to add him. And they usually add a 3rd catcher for September with the standard approach to call up the AAA veteran, who this year could be either Moore or Kratz.

Assuming they don't have other plans for him, seems the ideal time.

Lot of younger guys shining these days across MLB. They can even DH him if they want.

Mejia might get a call. But I wouldn't be shocked if he doesn't. They have signed him up for Arizona Fall League, and being a catcher they may want to give him a little break. I would like to see him get a cup of coffee though. Maybe pinch hit or DH a few times. Just to get a taste so when he does get a serious call up he won't have as many nerves.