Dodgers pitching prospect Zach Lee ready to begin throwing again

As great mysteries go, it won’t rival the pyramids, but at least we finally, apparently, have an answer to the strange disappearance of right-hander Zach Lee.

Lee, the Dodgers’ 2010 first-round pick, left triple-A Oklahoma City two weeks ago to be checked out by team doctors for tingling in his fingers. And for the next 14 days, there had been no update on his status.

Not a word. Plenty of “I don’t knows” from Manager Don Mattingly.

Finally, during Thursday’s game against the Rangers, the Dodgers announced that Lee had been diagnosed with poor circulation in his right middle finger. After several diagnostic tests, the Dodgers said Lee has been cleared to resume throwing.

He is scheduled to begin his throwing program Friday at the Dodgers’ spring training complex in Phoenix. The Dodgers said it would likely take two to three weeks before he was ready to resume pitching in an actual game.

Lee was 5-3 with a 2.38 ERA and 1.09 WHIP for Oklahoma City. Five other starters from triple-A have been called up to make starts for the Dodgers this season, but Lee is still looking to make his major-league debut.

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