The New York Daily News presents an excellent roundup on Randy Johnson's injury.

"Nobody knows at what point (the herniated disk) happened," Cashman said. "I know he didn't have it last year when he had back stiffness, so it's something new. It happened at some point this year. I'm assuming recently, but I couldn't tell you when."

Asked if offseason surgery were a possibility, Cashman said, "Obviously, it if continues to be a problem and becomes worse, that's something you'd have to have on the list of options. But it's also possible it doesn't have to take place."

Cashman recalled two players with back issues who were able to pitch after epidurals - Jeff Nelson and Darren Holmes, which was part of the reason for the GM's "cautiously optimistic" outlook. "There are people who have this and function with it and it's not a problem if it's under control," Cashman said. "Other people, it needs to be addressed surgically."