Knuckle Curve » baseball injuries

Josh Hamilton Injury News – May 12th Return

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 06 May 2009 03:54:37 +0000

Josh Hamilton, who was the best story in baseball last season, is getting close to returning to the field. Having missed action since straining a rib on April 26th, the Texas Rangers expect their outfielder to be back in action on May 12th — the day he’s eligible to come off of the disabled list.

Last season, Hamilton hit .304 to go along with 32 homers, 130 RBI, 98 runs and an on-base percentage of .371. This season, his production wasn’t up to his 2008 standards. In 18 games, he has two homers, ten RBI, eight runs, a batting average of .242 and an on-base percentage of .282.

Prior to bursting onto the scene last season, Hamilton was a highly touted prospect who battled injury, drug use and variety of other off the field problems. Having turned his life around off the field, he was able to live up to his potential on the field.

On the season, the Rangers are off to a solid start. They are currently 14-12 and in second place in the AL West, only .5 games back of the Seattle Mariners.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Carlos Lee Injury Update – Out for the Season?

Stephen Kersey — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:41:32 +0000

Carlos Lee of the Houston Astros might get an early jump on his offseason vacation. The native of Panama got hit by a pitch and broke his left pinky. In all likelihood, Lee will be forced to miss the rest of the season.

Lee, who was leading the National League with 100 RBIs, got hit by a pitch from Cincinnati Reds starter Bronson Arroyo. After immediately leaving the game, Lee had an X-Ray that revealed his left pinky is broken and that the injury will require surgery.

At 58-59, the Astros are a long shot to see postseason play. Coming into the season, some prognosticators said the Astros would make the playoffs. Now with Lee out for the season, those hopes seem all but closed.

On the season, Lee was batting .314 and had 28 home runs to go with his NL leading 100 RBIs.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Alex Rodriguez Injury Info – Hurt Again

Stephen Kersey — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:11:13 +0000

Alex Rodriguez re-injured his strained right quadriceps and he’s out for at least Tuesday. Since this has become a nagging injury, there’s a good chance that Rodriguez will be forced to sit for a week or two. Both Rodriguez and the New York Yankees don’t want him to push it and suffer a major injury.

Compared to last year, Rodriguez is off to a slow start. He’s hitting .286 with four homeruns and 11 RBIs. Last year in April, Rodriguez hit .355 and had 14 homers and 34 RBIs.

Expect Morgan Ensberg to takeover for Rodriguez at third base. The good news for the Yankees is that they have enough bats to field a potent lineup even without Rodriguez.

However, the Yankees had additional negative injury news. Veteran catcher Jorge Posada was put on the DL for the first time in his career. Posada is suffering from a shoulder injury that has limited his ability to throw the ball. Jose Molina will likely catch for the Yankees while Posada is out.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Alex Rodriguez Injury Update

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:40:01 +0000

The usually dependable Alex Rodriguez was forced to leave Saturday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles with a strained quadriceps in his right leg. While the injury isn’t considered major, it could possibly keep the New York Yankees third baseman out for a few games.

As of now, the Yankees are saying Rodriguez is day-to-day.

“Originally, he thought it was a cramp,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. “We’ll see how he is Tuesday. If he’s okay, great. If he’s not, then we’ll find a way.”

In the sixth inning, Rodriguez reached base on a fielder’s choice. Although he stayed in the game initially, Yankees first base coach Tony Pena and Rodriguez called for the trainer and Rodriguez was replaced by Morgan Ensberg.

Said Rodriguez: “I give Tony a lot of credit. He knew that if I had to go first to third on a double that perhaps I could have hurt it very seriously.”

With Rodriguez out, expect Ensberg to get the call at third base.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Various Injury Updates – April 16

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:17:38 +0000

Alfonso Soriano
As if being a Chicago Cubs fan isn’t tough enough, it sounds like Alfonso Soriano may be out for a while. Soriano strained his calf making a catch in the outfield. After being helped off the field, Soriano was said to be in a lot of pain. Expect him to be out at least a couple weeks. MRI results on Wednesday will give more information.

Eric Bedard
“No way.” That was what Eric Bedard said when asked whether he could make his next start. Dealing with a hip injury, Bedard was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners, who traded five players for Bedard in a February deal with the Baltimore Orioles, will turn to knuckleballer R.A. Dickey to replace Bedard for now. We suggest Dickey mix in a knuckle curve or two.

Pedro Martinez
After straining his hamstring in his first start of the season, Pedro Martinez was expected to miss four to six weeks. Now, the latest reports have Martinez out until June. This is obviously a big blow for the New York Mets, who entered the season with high expectations but are just 6-6 on the season.

Kaz Matsui
Houston Astros second baseman Kaz Matsui will continue his rehab stint in the minors with Round Rock Express. Matsui is recovering from an anal fissure. The injury plagued him during spring training and eventually required surgery. We feel your pain, Kaz. A lesser man may have taken a year off with that injury. Take your time.

Post from: Knuckle Curve