Tigers place Dontrelle Willis on 15-day DL
April 12, 2008
CHICAGO (AP) -Detroit Tigers left-hander Dontrelle Willis was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday after an MRI confirmed that he has a hyperextended right knee.
Willis injured the knee while delivering a pitch in the first inning Friday night against the Chicago White Sox and minutes later was taken out of the game.
``We know he's going to miss at least one start and we don't want to take any chances with it,'' Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski said after a 7-0 loss to the White Sox on Saturday.
``Really at this point, we can't. It is a hyperextension, so hopefully after the 15 days he'll be ready. But we'll see.''
Willis, who joined the Tigers along with Miguel Cabrera in a major trade from Florida, was making his second start Friday night for the Tigers on Friday night.
On his first pitch to the White Sox's No. 2 hitter Orlando Cabrera, Willis' right leg gave out and he slipped off the mound. He stayed in the game, but after walking Cabrera and throwing a wild pitch to Jim Thome, he was taken out. Following the game, Willis said he initially thought he'd blown his knee out, but later was able to put pressure on it.
``There is no tear, so that's good,'' Willis said Saturday. ``We'll see how I feel tomorrow. I'll take it day-by-day. I felt better today, just a little stiffness.''
Willis said it was a new experience.
``I never had anything happen like that. But it could have been a lot worse.''
The Tigers have been banged up all season and gotten off to a surprisingly bad start.
Center fielder and leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson is out with a broken hand, reliever Fernando Rodney has a tender shoulder and first baseman Carlos Guillen missed Saturday's loss to the White Sox after straining a hamstring while running to first Friday night.
Gary Sheffield has been bothered by a torn tendon in his finger and Cabrera by a sore quadriceps muscle.
Detroit is off to a 2-9 start.
The Tigers will recall outfielder Ryan Raburn from Triple-A Toledo to fill the roster spot and later will bring up right-hander Armando Galarraga, also from Triple-A, to take Willis' slot in the rotation.
Rangers left-hander Guardado goes to disabled list with sore shoulder
April 12, 2008
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -Rangers left-hander Eddie Guardado was placed on the disabled list retroactive to April 5 with a sore shoulder on Saturday.
Right-hander Luis Mendoza (blister on right middle finger) was activated from the DL and will start Saturday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 37-year-old Guardado is attempting to comeback from Tommy John surgery in 2006. He has made two appearances with the Rangers this season.
``It's frustrating because I get where I want to be and then I have this setback,'' Guardado said. ``It's not fun. But I didn't want to be stupid. I want to be smart about this.''
The Rangers are battling injuries in the bullpen. Right-handers Dustin Nippert (shin) and Jamey Wright (strained oblique muscle) have nagging ailments, and C.J. Wilson is the only left-hander in the Texas bullpen with Guardado sidelined.
Texas is expected to call up right-hander Scott Feldman from the minors to start Sunday's game, so another move may have to be made.
``Over the course of the year these things are going to happen,'' Texas manager Ron Washington said. ``We're not crying. We just have to solve the problem that's presented to us.''
Mendoza made one rehab start in Triple-A Oklahoma after going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in six appearances with the Rangers last season.
Giants' Roberts has surgery on left knee, could be out 12 weeks
April 12, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -San Francisco outfielder Dave Roberts had surgery on his troublesome left knee Saturday, and it could be 12 weeks before he rejoins the Giants.
Fred Lewis will play regularly in Roberts' spot in left field. Roberts batted .118 with one RBI in six games this season.
Team orthopedist Ken Akizuki performed the 45-minute procedure to clean out cartilage behind his kneecap caused by arthritis and wear and tear. Athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said there was not a tear, as the Giants believed there might be.
The 35-year-old Roberts will use crutches to get around for about 2 1/2 weeks. He will begin light rehabilitation exercises Sunday to start regaining his range of motion and strength while the swelling from the surgery subsides.
If he progresses well in his recovery, Roberts could head out on a minor league rehab assignment in eight to 10 weeks, Groeschner said.
``We're going to go slow at first,'' Groeschner said. ``He did have a significant amount of arthritis in there. We'll see how he responds after the first three weeks. We're definitely going to take it a little bit easy at first to make sure these things don't come back.''
The knee had bothered Roberts since spring training, but this has to be a discouraging development considering he missed nearly a month in 2007 following left elbow surgery. Groeschner said he told Roberts this injury was more significant than a meniscus tear that would heal in about four to six weeks.
Also Saturday, the Giants recalled outfielder John Bowker from Triple-A Fresno and started him in right field against the Cardinals for his major league debut. To clear roster room, outfielder Clay Timpner was optioned to Fresno.