Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Tracy needs surgery for groin tear

US Presswire photo
Chad Tracy leads the major leagues with nine pinch-hit RBI.
MIAMI -- They've already lost, at various points this season, their starting catcher, first baseman, third baseman, left fielder, right fielder, fifth starter, closer, backup closer, backup catcher, third-string catcher and utilityman. Now the Nationals can add their top pinch-hitter to their never-ending list of injured players.

Chad Tracy will have surgery Thursday to repair a torn groin muscle, the club announced this evening, the latest crushing blow to a Nationals team that somehow remains in first place despite the injuries.

"I've never seen anything like it," manager Davey Johnson said. "It's kind of weird. But that's a tribute to the makeup of this ballclub and this organization. There's a lot of capable guys that we're going give an opportunity, and the're going to run with it."

Tracy will miss at least six-to-eight weeks, perhaps more, while recovering from surgery to repair a tear in the same area he was operated on in November for a double sports hernia.

With nine RBI in only 18 pinch-hit at-bats this season, Tracy has nearly equaled the Nationals' entire output from last season (14 RBI in 204 pinch-hit at-bats).

For now, Johnson plans to use the likes of Corey Brown and Roger Bernadina in Tracy's role, with veteran Mark DeRosa also close to rejoining the club after missing the last month with an oblique strain.

The Nationals could seek to acquire another seasoned hitter, though they understand the difficulty in pulling off that kind of move.

"Let me tell you, everybody is looking for a Chad Tracy," Johnson said. "We're no different. ... Nobody's letting somebody like that go, unless they're making $10 million and they're out of options. That makes it harder."

8 comments:

MicheleS said...

GET WELL CHAD!!!! #GOONSQUAD

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said...

Bubblewrap. This whole team needs tons and tons of bubblewrap.

JaneB said...

So, in case someone from the Tracy family reads this: We know how much he loves the game, or at least we can guess. We can guess how hard he works, and how heartbreaking this injury is. Please please please tell him how grateful we are that he's been a member of the Goon Squad, and how much confidence we have had in him. We used to be scared of our bench, but he changed that. As far as I'm concerned, he is a huge part of the turn around of this team, and I want him to know I am hugely, ginormously grateful for him. And I wish him a speedy and thorough recovery so we can have him back on OUR team again.

Faraz Shaikh said...

is there some power does not wish to see Nats contend? I bet Selig is behind all the injuries.

btharner said...

The sad news is that there are still four months and 113 games to go in the regular season. How much more is this team going to have to endure?

whatsanattau said...

You left out center fielder - Ankiel started the year on the DL too.

natsfan1a said...

What Jane said. Hoping to see you after the All-Star break, Chad.

Scooter said...

Jane: that was beautiful, dude.

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