CLEVELAND -- Detroit Tigers reliever Johnny Barbato has been fighting shoulder soreness for the entire 2018 season.
But the team only found out about it moments after he was shelled for five runs in less than an inning Friday night against the Indians.
The abrupt notice left manager Ron Gardenhire peeved and exposed a part of baseball that rarely is discussed publicly:
There are times when a player has a strong incentive to play hurt and keep the team in the dark about how he's truly feeling. There are other times when it's both essential and financially advantageous for a player to be honest with the team's medical staff.