An MRI of Ryan Zimmerman's right shoulder confirmed the Nationals' initial diagnosis of inflammation to the AC joint, not a serious injury, but the third baseman may still need a brief stint on the disabled list.Zimmerman told reporters in San Diego this afternoon he'll attempt to take batting practice before tomorrow's series finale at Petco Park. If that doesn't go well, he would likely need to receive a second cortisone shot (following one he received Saturday in Washington) and then be placed on the 15-day DL.
Any DL move would be retroactive to Saturday, because Zimmerman has not played since then, so he would be eligible to return as soon as May 6 (the Sunday night finale of the Nationals' home series against the Phillies).
Zimmerman's absence for any length of time would be a serious blow to a Nationals lineup that is already struggling to score runs without cleanup hitter Michael Morse (who won't be cleared to resume baseball activities for at least another month due to a strained lat muscle). Though they own the NL's best record entering play today at 13-4, they've scored a total of only 12 runs in their last five victories, managing to squeak by thanks to the league's best pitching staff so far this season.
Manager Davey Johnson said he'll mix and match players at third base in Zimmerman's absence. Rookie Steve Lombardozzi started last night, but veteran Chad Tracy will be in the lineup for tonight's game against the Padres.
If Zimmerman lands on the DL, possible candidates to fill his roster spot include outfielder Brett Carroll (who was designated for assignment April 14 but has now reported to Class AAA) and first baseman Tyler Moore (who has already hit six homers in 17 games for Syracuse).
26 comments:
Wait, he got a cortizone shot Saturday?? Why wasn't I informed?
Regarding cortisone injections:
I recently saw an orthopedist for some knee soreness and inflammation that had been bothering me for about a month and then started causing real pain during a skiing trip. X-rays didn't show any broken bones, did show some very mild arthritis, a little bone spurring where I'd torn my MCL about 12 years ago. Good cartilage between the bones - no bone-on-bone - no evidence of bone chips or other floaters, and no detectable ligament damage. Conclusion: some kind of nonspecific soft tissue damage. She recommended just letting it heal and letting my pain be my guide when working out at the gym.
We did discuss treatment options. She said cortisone injections treat the pain and inflammation, but actually slow the healing process, and it has other complications; it's not something you do every couple of days.
At least not for my problem knee.
I guess that rule doesn't hold true if you're 27 years old. Or have a 10-year, $100 million contract. Or something.
Down both Zim and Rendon next is Skole who is hitting like Harper in Hagerstown but is at least a year plus away. Not good.
I guess this post belongs here...
I'm not endorsing or excusing the Nats' medical staff. However, the Redskins team physician is my orthopedist. I've had three surgeries, including a knee replacement, in five years and it ain't getting much better. (My knee was broken when I got hit by a motorcycle).
My dr. has tried many solutions for the pain and inflammation. He did say he would give me a cortisone shot for "special occasions" but not on a regular basis.
This is what makes me pessimistic about Morse. If a famous doctor can't fix a broken knee (admittedly, it's complicated) what are the chances when the problem is not fully known?
PLEASE, get out of those ugly (red) uniforms and go to blue. The Red is a jinx. We are the Red Cross of MLB.
I hope I'm wrong, but this sounds like Morse all over again.
That is better news on Ryan than I feared. Especially given today's news on Pineda - torn labrum. Hard to 2nd guess MLB medical staffs Pineda came to spring training with shoulder soreness and just got the diagnosis. Sometimes injuries are just tough to see. Let's hope Ryan is back ASAP.
SM13, you are still assuming the worst has been said. With this medical staff, things never are as they appear.
I'm not getting the knock against the red uniforms. Is switching to blue supposed to increase the offense or something? Besides, they're wearing road gray tonight anyway.
I hope this "good news" about the Z-man really is as good as it sounds. I really am waiting for the win-without-offense bubble to burst. Which will certainly happen sooner or later.
Tonight, with Jordan on the mound, would be a good time to start a little offensive production, for example.
"confirmed the Nationals' initial diagnosis of inflammation to the AC joint" their initial diagnosis was no structural damagae of any kind..revisionist history or double speak?
Actually, it confirmed their initial diagnosis of inflammation, which is what they said all along.
Scott from Burke said..."confirmed the Nationals' initial diagnosis of inflammation to the AC joint"
But WHY is the joint inflamed?
Any minute now, I'm expecting to hear that he has a mild shoulder separation. http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/shouldersurgery/a/separation.htm
Candide is supposed to be a naif, not a cynic. Or is this a comedy routine and I don't get the joke?
Apparently it's inflamed because the uniforms are red.
in other complaining, i listened to the first inning and a half on satellite radio and had the padres radio team..they sound like incredibly happy guys, everthing anyone says is hilarious, and don't understand why everybody doesn't feel the same way..they were awful
The Padres TV crew is pretty dreadful, too. Of course, some of that is SoCal, where vapidity is considered a virtue.
Theophilus T. S. said... Candide is supposed to be a naif, not a cynic.
After being kicked out of his uncle's castle, shipwrecked, dragooned into military service, flogged, nearly eaten by cannibals, robbed, and enduring all manner of other disasters, Candide ends up concluding that if this is the best of all possible worlds, you'd better watch out for yourself ("cultivate our gardens"). At the end of the story, he's lost his optimism and naivete.
@Scott from Burke - I feel your pain. I was listening to the Padres radio broadcast on my way home from work and I had to shut it off after one inning. I couldn't take the announcer's penchant for quick, short bursts of words.
Peric said, "Down both Zim and Rendon next is Skole who is hitting like Harper in Hagerstown but is at least a year plus away."
Actually, Mark Teahen is a natural third baseman.
Actually, Mark Teahen is a natural third baseman.
And a left-handed bat. HOWEVER last I looked he isn't producing the kind of power, not the RBI's that booth Moore in AAA and Skole in A are. Skole already had over 25 RBI to go with his .375 average and 4 home runs.
Teahen isn't hitting like Michael Morse was in Syracuse a couple of years back. If he was I guarantee you he would already be on the active roster.
I take back what I just said ... well news travels fast.
Mark Teahen just knocked in 6 runs in 1 game to total up to 14 RBI. He's now hitting .283 and hit his first home run. But he was in right field. Carlos Rivero is still the starting third baseman in Syracuse.
Speaking of good news, Danny Rosenbaum throws 7 scoreless and drops his ERA below 1.00.
Glad to read all the encouraging news!
Scott: Joints get inflamed to actually protect the body from doing even more damage. Swelling is a way of kind of "casting" so that you can't hurt it even more. I have no inside knowledge about the extent of his injury but the cortisone shot on Saturday really was kind of risky in my opinion, in that it really is a hit or miss situation and you should really limit thenumber of shots. Right now, he has irritation. If its more severe then that, they should know very soon. We could get lucky and have him back in a few days but after all the other issues they have had, I am guessing they will take the conservative approach. As a swim coach, shoulder issues were always a major concern for us and while we were just Division I and obviously not pros, the cortisone shot was something of a last resort. I guess pro baseball players are a little more aggressive.
Wait, he got a cortizone shot Saturday?? Why wasn't I informed?
I heart you so much, Sec3.
And yeah, sjm, I think these guys are very aggressive, trying to get back out there. I'm glad you said that; it's good to be reminded of how hard these kids push themselves.
Post a Comment