Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Dodgers Nomar Garciaparra Still Hobbled by Knee
Los Angeles first baseman Nomar Garciaparra, despite being back from a sprained knee for two weeks, continues to go at half speed because of lingering pain. To one degree or another, Garciaparra remains in danger of missing more time as his injury could linger into mid-September, but he plans to play through it if he can. Utilityman Olmedo "Killer Tomato" Saenz stands to gain an appearance now and then to rest Garciaparra, but Saenz's opportunities are limited as both he and Garciaparra are righthanded. Look for the Dodgers to seek help from lefty rookie James Loney after rosters are expanded Sept 1. Loney was demoted to Las Vegas last week to make room for mopup pitcher Elmer Dessens, coming off the disabled list. As reported in advance by MLB Rumors Clearinghouse, manager Grady Little has decided to carry 12 pitchers to hold off fatigue in the bullpen.
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Doctor X -- the 'Baseball Medic' -- is an anonymous U.S. government trauma specialist with a Duke University sports medicine background and more than 20 years experience in emergency medicine. From time to time he considers MLB rumors, events and news reports as they pertain to baseball players' injuries, illnesses and various other disabilities, both on the field and off.
MLB Rumors editor Greg Fieg is a former sports news editor and award-winning writer whose bylines have appeared on the wires of the Associated Press and in numerous publications, including San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Houston Chronicle and Philadelphia Bulletin. He formerly was posted in various positions on the U.S.-Mexican border with Freedom Newspapers, and was a regular, independent contributor to United Press International.