Ryan Madson Will Have "Tommy John" Surgery

Ryan Madson will not pitch for the Reds this season.

Madson was examined by the Reds Medical Director Timothy Kremchek on Saturday.  The ligament is torn from the bone and will require Tommy John surgery.

"We could try to rehab it but that never works," general manager Walt Jocketty said.  "The best thing is to have the surgery and shut it down."

Surgery has not yet been scheduled.  The Reds signed Madson to a one-year contract through 2012 with a mutual option for 2013.  The Reds counted on him to be its closer after they couldn't come to terms with Francisco Cordero.

'We told the team that we have to stay positive," Jocketty said.  "We have alternatives internally."

The alternatives are putting lefthander Sean Marshall into the closers role.  Although he is starting for the Reds split squad against San Diego today, Aroldis Chapman, could be returned to the bullpen.

"It's not great news but other clubs have done it in the past," Jocketty said.  "I did it in St. Louis when Issy (Jason Isringhausen) went down, (Adam) Wainright stepped up and we won the World Series.  Arizona did it. Dusty (Baker) brought up a good point. Madson got the job (as Phillies closer) because (Brad) Lidge got hurt."

Madson pitched in a simulated game on Wednesday and was scheduled was scheduled to throw again Friday ."He looked good real good," Jocketty said Wednesday afternoon.  However, stiffness in the elbow forced the Reds to cancel Friday's session.  The Reds sent him to Cincinnati to be examined instead.

'He felt fine all spring until just lately.  He feels terrible about it," Jocketty said.  "He sat out a little bit and came back.  After his session the other day it got real tight. Dr. Kremchek said with the bleeding and stuff it looked like a recent tear."

The Reds have a policy not to take out insurance on a one-year contract.  The only insurance they have now is the extra pitchers they brought into camp.

"We talk about it all the time.  You never have enough pitching," Baker said.  "We don't like it.  We know the problem now we've got to come up with  the solution.  How you handle adversity is the sign of a champion.  Invariably something always happens. I'm just glad we have the guys (extra pitchers) that we have."