Howard day-to-day with sprained ligament
Thu, Apr 19, 2007
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- First baseman Ryan Howard was out of the starting lineup Thursday for the Philadelphia Phillies' game against the Washington Nationals because of a left leg injury.
The reigning NL MVP hurt himself running out a fielder's choice grounder in the 10th inning Wednesday night but stayed in for the rest of Philadelphia's 5-4 loss in 13 innings.
Howard went 0-for-5 Wednesday to drop his average to .213 for the season.
The Phillies listed him as day-to-day, saying he sprained the ligament that connects the tibia to the fibia just below the knee.
General manager Pat Gillick said X-rays done Wednesday showed nothing was torn and that Howard wouldn't need to have an MRI exam. Gillick also said he didn't think Howard would have to go on the disabled list.
Greg Dobbs started at first base Thursday, with Pat Burrell moving up in the batting order from fifth to Howard's cleanup spot.
Devil Rays bugged by flu
Thu, Apr 19, 2007
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are dealing with a flu bug running through the team. After Wednesday’s 6-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, manager Joe Maddon told reporters his team looked sluggish.
“We did play like we had the flu today,” he told the St. Petersburg Times. “We did not play well.”
Third baseman Akinori Iwamura didn't start the game while other players, including catcher Josh Paul, played despite feeling ill.
Tampa Bay had Thursday off before starting their weekend series against the Cleveland Indians on Friday. C.C. Sabathia is scheduled to start for Cleveland while Edwin Jackson should get the nod for the Devil Rays.
Cabrera leaves game with stiff torso
Thu, Apr 19, 2007
By Associated Press
MIAMI -- Florida Marlins slugger Miguel Cabrera left Thursday's game against the New York Mets after two innings with a stiff torso.
Cabrera bunted with a runner on second base in the first inning - his first sacrifice since his rookie year in 2003. When he returned to the dugout, he had a discussion with manager Fredi Gonzalez, then played in the field in the second before leaving the game.
The Marlins described the move as precautionary.
Cabrera left Wednesday's game after seven innings, but the Marlins made no mention of any injury then.
Seattle's Hernandez has mild elbow strain
April 19th, 2007
Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Seattle Mariners young phenom Felix Hernandez has a Grade 1 flexor-pronator strain, the team announced on Thursday.
That grade of strain is the mildest.
"This is as good as news as you could receive in regards to an elbow injury," said team medical director Dr. Edward Khalfayan.
He will not throw for the next five days and will then be re-evaluated.
Hernandez left Wednesday night's game against Minnesota with tightness in his throwing elbow in the first inning.
The standout right-hander gave up three runs on two hits over just one-third of an inning before being lifted in favor of Jake Woods.
Hernandez was coming off a one-hitter against Boston his last time out, and had yielded no runs and just four hits over his first two starts(17 innings) before Wednesday's setback.
Orioles activate Payton from DL
April 20th, 2007
Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - The Baltimore Orioles activated outfielder Jay Payton from the 15-day disabled list on Friday.
Payton was placed on the DL retroactive to March 27 with a strained right hamstring. He went 2-for-8 during a two-game rehab stint with Triple-A Norfolk.
The 34-year-old led the AL West champion Oakland Athletics with a .296 average, 165 hits and 32 doubles in 2006. He also hit 10 home runs and posted 59 RBI in 142 games. He became the first player since 1957 to start at least 40 games at all three outfield positions in one season. Payton also has a career .288 average against left-handed pitching, and .283 against right- handers.
To make room for Payton, the Orioles optioned outfielder Jon Knott to Norfolk.
Tigers place Mesa on DL
April 20th, 2007
Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers placed pitcher Jose Mesa on the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Aquilino Lopez from Triple-A Toledo on Friday.
Mesa, whose move is retroactive to April 17, is suffering from a pulled right groin. The right-hander has appeared in four games for the Tigers this season, allowing six runs in 2 2/3 innings of work.
Lopez has appeared in seven games with the Mud Hens this season, posting four saves as he has held the opposition scoreless in 6 1/3 innings of work.
In addition, the Tigers also transferred pitcher Edward Campusano from the 15- day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list to create a spot on the team's 40-man roster for Lopez.