Fourth Examination of Finley’s Foot Rules Out Stress Fracture

A fourth examination of Chuck Finley’s left foot Wednesday ruled out the possibility of a stress fracture, which means the Angel pitcher may resume throwing off the mound as early as next week.

Finley, placed on the 15-day disabled list last Thursday after a bone scan of his foot failed to conclusively indicate a stress fracture, underwent further X-rays Wednesday by the Angel physician, Dr. Lewis Yocum, at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood. Yocum did not find a break and is now calling the injury “a ligament disruption,” or sprain.

After the examination, Finley threw lightly off a flat surface to test his foot strength, a procedure he will repeat for the next few days.

Finley is eligible to come off the disabled list next Wednesday. He has already missed one start and is expected to miss at least two more.