Thursday, May 3, 2012

LaRoche out with oblique strain

US Presswire file photo
Adam LaRoche injured his oblique muscle diving for a ball at first base.
Given the injuries they've already sustained and the lack of production they've been getting from the rest of their lineup, the Nationals can ill-afford to lose Adam LaRoche for any length of time.

But it appears they'll be without their cleanup hitter and starting first baseman for at least several days after he suffered an injury to his right oblique muscle while diving for a ball during Wednesday night's game.

LaRoche finished out that game but reported to Nationals Park today feeling tightness on his right side. He attempted to take a couple of swings off a tee, but quickly shut himself down, not wanting the injury to become any more severe.

"I know these things can linger," he said. "I hope we caught it early enough where we can knock it out shortly and get back out there, because obviously the timing couldn't be any worse."

The Nationals are currently playing without either third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (right shoulder inflammation) or left fielder Michael Morse (right lat muscle strain). Zimmerman is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday but may not be ready until Tuesday. Morse will be shut down for at least three more weeks before resuming baseball activities.

The Nationals aren't putting any official timetable on LaRoche's return, but Davey Johnson said he "might be down 2-3 days." The manager added this oblique injury is "not in the DeRosa category," referring to veteran Mark DeRosa, who just went on the DL with an oblique strain.

LaRoche, who leads the club with four homers and 17 RBI, said he first felt something in his right side after diving for a groundball to his right early during Wednesday's game but initially didn't think much of it.

"I thought at the time I just landed on my ribs, or landed on something," he said. "When I came back to swing the bat, I knew it was something else."

The injury occurred before LaRoche attempted to steal second base in the bottom of the sixth, though he said that play didn't cause any further damage. The 32-year-old has only five stolen bases (in 16 attempts) in his career.

"Just doing what I'm told," he said of the surprise call. "I was ordered to go, which is a compliment. But I think I was thrown out by about 20 feet. They probably won't do that again."

20 comments:

IPLawguy said...

Morse can hit, but he can't throw, right? Activate him now and let him play First Base....

OK, bad idea. But playing Tracy at 1B over Moore made no sense to me.

Sec314

Grandstander said...

I like that ALR didn't call out Nady there, but I think anyone paying attention knew Nady missed/ignored the sign because there's just no other explanation.

As for ALR, at this point, does anyone actually believe a word anyone says? I've already written him out of the lineup for 6 months and have Moore manning 1B.

Drew said...

In minor league injury news, we have a Robbie Ray sighting. The lefty started for Potomac tonight.

He got hammered, but not as bad as Mick. :)

Gonat said...

Torn ACL for Mariano Rivera which means the Nats won't face him Father's Day weekend. Next encounter is the 2013 World Series.

rogieshan said...

It's a shame Marrero is among the injured - an opportunity missed.

I hope Moore is given a chance to start some games at 1st.

peric said...

Chad Tracy is hitting .120. When does Tyler Moore get a shot?

Nattydread said...

This is really really bad. We need to enjoy first place because I don't know how we stay there without our #3, #4 & #5. Guess Bryce and Moore get a chance to step up --- and Zimmerman comes back.

Strasberg, meanwhile, must continue to play with perfection.

peric said...

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let LaRoche be out only for 2-3 days like Davey said.

Except for Harper (Chad Tracy batting .120) no one else is hitting other than LaRoche. So, I'd like to to see Tyler Moore start every game while LaRoche is recovering. Yes Davey loses a left-handed bat but Tracy is hitting far worse than Espinosa. Sure, he had a couple of clutch hits but he looks like Matt Stares ...

rogieshan said...

If LaRoche is out longer, maybe Rizzo should give Derrek Lee a call.

jeeves said...

Right Peric. Desi's not hitting. Without him, despite Harper's heroics the last two games, the Nats would have lost both games.

Faraz Shaikh said...

oh my god! what is up with these injuries?

this is unbelievable.

natsfan1a said...

Hope it's not for long, as we need his bat and glove.

ExposedinDC said...

Did we not here 2-3 days with Zim last year, Morse, Storen, and Zim this year ?
What exactly did this team do to anger the baseball gods ?

Tcostant said...

I want Moore at 1B too. If LaRoche is out...

nats311 said...

If Moore isn't here to play LF, and he isn't here to play 1B (as was evident last night), then why is he here? Does he really get better sitting on the bench up here rather than getting 3-4 at bats every night in syracuse?

The allegiance to Tracy, Nady, etc. is getting frustrating. Let the young kids play. I know the theory behind having those vets, but they haven't really done anything to support that hypothesis.

JaneB said...

I had the same question about Moore. And all the same thoughts about please let this heal fast.
And a heavy heavy heart for Mariano, even though I am not a Yanks fan.

SFNats said...

peric said...
"Except for Harper (Chad Tracy batting .120) no one else is hitting other than LaRoche."

Um...Desmond? Sheesh, even when the guy is playing well, he can't get any love.

TimDz said...

They are going to rest him and not do an MRI, as they don't see it as that bad....

I vaguely remember hearing something like this a few times before

TimDz said...

SF...I agree completely about the Non Desi love...
It seems that Desmond could hit for the cycle, drive in all the runs in a blowout game for the Nats and STILL get hammmered for making an error...

Anonymous said...

Another chance for our team of World Class "doctors" to shine... (well they are World Class somethings but this is a family site)

Post a Comment