Phillies place pitcher Cliff Lee on 60-day disabled list

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed pitcher Cliff Lee on the 60-day disabled list and he will attempt to rehab his elbow without surgery.

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed pitcher Cliff Lee on the 60-day disabled list, the team announced on Monday. 

Lee, who has a tear in the common flexor tendon in his left elbow, has mutually decided with the team to attempt to rehab the injury without surgery in hopes that he can pitch later during the 2015 season.

The 36-year-old has twice previously tried to rehab his elbow without surgery, and even though surgery was recommended the Phillies said it would "effectively put an end to his 2015 season."

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Lee received a second opinion on his elbow from Dr. James Andrews after experiencing discomfort after throwing two innings in his spring debut last week. Last week, he told ESPN that if he needs surgery, his season would be done and possibly his career. 

Philadelphia has shut down Lee from throwing for the time being and he will return home to rest and be set up with a rehabilitation program. 

He was limited by a strained flexor tendon in his elbow last season as well, pitching in only 13 games. He went 4-5 with a 3.65 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 81.1 innings.

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Lee is due to make $25 million this season. He has a $27.5 million team option for 2016 and a $12.5 million buyout.

- Molly Geary