the end of maine's 2008 season was marred by injury. on august 4, maine was put on the disabled list with a strained rotator cuff. he returned, making three more starts, but was then put back on the disabled list. on september 24, he again came off the disabled list but manager jerry manuel did not allow him to pitch for fear of future injury. at season's end, he underwent surgery in which doctors removed a bone spur from his shoulder. the doctors were amazed at the size of the spur; they said it was the biggest they had ever seen. they were amazed that he was able to pitch in that condition.