Just a quick update
As I gotta take care of some stuff before tonight's live blog...
Nomar Garciaparra is having his calf tested as we speak, with results/answers coming ASAP. Gary Bennett's plantar fasciitas diagnosis may have landed him on the D.L., but it's nothing anybody is regarding as particularly serious. Bennett wasn't forthcoming with a ton of details, whether in terms of treatment (basically stretching) or the pain itself, nor did he seem particularly amped to discuss the situation. Does that mean the time off has much to do with his recently resurfaced throwing issues as anything going on with his body? I don't know that for sure, but it certainly wouldn't shock me if the two items were a package deal of sorts. In any event, hopefully Bennett can straighten out whatever is happening and move on.
As for Andruw Jones' knee, we're in something of a "wait and see/hope for the best" period. "Whatever it's gonna take to make him feel better and keep it from reoccurring, that's the thing," said Torre, who added that Jones hadn't expressed any problems until last Sunday's game against the Angels. "It may have been working on him, but nothing more than the normal aches and pains you have on a regular basis." In other words, nothing he'd been playing though since the start of the season (which would theoretically explain why his season has started and remained so lousy).
Torre was hit with the inevitable "Did carrying around any extra weight perhaps do a number on Jones' knee?" query, an angle he left for somebody more qualified to confirm. But as Torre did dryly note, "I didn't need knee replacement until I was 67, and I was 240 lbs. when I was 16 years old, so I guess eventually it does wear on you." He's also leaving any decisions about surgery to the quacks, but if the medical degree types do think it's an ailment best solved with a knife, Torre would rather Jones take care of it now than try to play through it. He also agreed with my thought that the time off, while possibly liable to drive Jones nuts, could provide a chance to regroup and maybe get a fresh start on what's been a disappointing Dodger career to date.
Apropos to nothing in particular, there's a gong in the clubhouse bearing the TsingTao Beer logo. Apropos to the info I just shared, I kind of feel like drinking a TsingTao.
AUDIO
Joe Torre, Part I: Download joe_torre_052008_pregame.mp3
Joe Torre, Part II: Download joe_torre_pregame_052008_pt_ii.mp3
Joe Torre, Part III: Download joe_torre_pregame_052008_pt_iii.mp3
Tonight's Lineups
Red(s)
Corey Patterson - CF
Paul Janish - SS
Junior - RF
Brandon Phillips - 2B
Adam Dunn - LF
Edwin Encarnacion - 3B
Joey Votto - 1B
David Ross - C
Matt Belisle - P
Blue
Pierre - LF
Ethier - RF
Martin - C
Kent - 2B
Loney - 1B
Kemp - RF
DeWitt -3B
Hu - SS
Bills - P
AK
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Iam sorry need to disagree with you Jones and collotti need to retire in tamdem,they have both disgraced the legacy of Dodgers dynasty.
Posted by: DODGER NATION | May 20, 2008 at 10:45 PM
AJ mentioned the knee bothered him a lot recently, makes me wonder why most physicals don't come with full body MRI exams too. I know MRI's are time consuming and cost $10,000 but that seems chump change to AJ's bad deal. This is ridiculous that all FA signings seem to get hosed by bad medical evaluations which again makes me question why Stan Conte has a job. If AJ was fat and on the downturn of his career that is a red flag... making matters worse he didn't disclose his bum knee. I think the dodgers can sue him to recover their investment back. If Jones lied on his medical evaluation then i think his contract should be void. I thought trainers jobs were to know everything about their staff and ailments. Conte only knows what the DL is, not how to keep players off it. How could he not know about Schmidt's shoulder after all those years on SF? I am almost concerned he is like a black-widow and poisoning his players to get hurt to ensure he has a job or somebody to care for. I hope i am wrong about him, but i have seen too many people get seriously injured on his watch. Furcal, Repko, Saito, Garciappara, Jones, Schmidt, Abreu, and Laroche just to name a few.
If AJ's last 1.5 years of sucktitude are due to his "elbow" and his "knee" then so be it, let him get healthy and prove me wrong that it was his attitude. I would be the happiest dodger fan in the world if he came out of it. Bottom line is this guy needs to get surgery, and now, rather than between seasons, cause 0.176 AVG isn't cutting it, and he won't get any better as the season goes on. He needs it now to clear his head, lose weight and get back on track and give somebody healthy and hungry get a shot at the lineup.
Posted by: poppinfresh | May 21, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Hey Poppinfresh
Just to add a little food for thought. Does it seem funny that when these players go on the DL that they stay on it a lot longer than first thought? Also, when something happens on the field, Stan is quick to recommend comiing out? Of course I don't think that they should play if they are injured but I think he is a little quick to pull the trigger. I think they call it job security.
Package
Posted by: Package | May 21, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Package i agree Conte is taking his time with people on the DL and takes em out early by being cautious, but it is scary to see the severity of the injuries like to Schmidt that should be diagnosed. I know there is a large investment in these players and they want to treat them like fine china. Maybe the players are not as tough as they used to be, like that dude last year for Minnesota who pitched the entire year with a torn labrum. I guess i am just tired of seeing our players get hurt quite often. I know sprains come and go, bruises and bumps follow, but the injury bug has this team hard. Maybe Conte can try some yoga or other holistic treatments to keep the guys healthy.
Posted by: poppinfresh | May 21, 2008 at 11:43 AM