2/18 Lilly to have his right knee checked

Ted Lilly is already rehabbing from arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder and now he’s feeling some soreness in his right knee. Lilly was headed to see a doctor on Thursday and may need an MRI as a precautionary measure.

“Hopefully, it’s just a minor little thing,” Lou Piniella said of Lilly’s knee. “As far as his shoulder is concerned, he’s gaining strength and feeling good. We’re just having to hold him back so he doesn’t take a step backwards.”

Lilly said his knee was “barking a little bit.”

“I ran on it yesterday and it’s not something I’m going to make a big deal out of,” he said. “I’m just going to have it looked at.”

Last July, Lilly needed arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and he joked Thursday that maybe he’s a little “fragile.” His shoulder, though, feels strong.

“My shoulder feels good and I’m real optimistic about that,” Lilly said. “I’m happy with the way it’s coming along. I have expectations to not be too far behind.”

– Carrie Muskat