|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Roundup Colon placed on DL; McGwire still day-to-day
Posted: Monday April 17, 2000 10:57 PM
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians could be without No. 1 starter Bartolo Colon for three weeks after the right-hander was placed on the disabled list Monday with a slight tear in his left oblique muscle. Colon, who has not pitched well this season despite a 2-1 record, sustained the injury during a loss Saturday to the Texas Rangers. Colon lasted just 3 1-3 innings, but didn't tell anyone he was hurt until Sunday. The Indians placed Colon on the 15-day DL but aren't sure how long he might be sidelined. Cleveland general manager John Hart said Monday it could be three weeks before Colon returns. "It's a tear," Hart said. "It's not a serious tear, but it's one you have to take your time with to make sure it heals. It could be three weeks before he's ready to pitch." Cleveland recalled reliever Sean DePaula from Triple-A Buffalo to fill Colon's roster spot. DePaula, who was 1-0 in three games for the Bisons, was a late-season callup for the Indians last year and pitched so well that he was added to the postseason roster. Colon has struggled with his conditioning since the start of spring training and appears to be much heavier than his listed weight of 230. However, Hart said Colon's being out of shape did not contribute to this injury. "I asked the same question of our doctors," Hart said. "But they said no. (Pitcher Steve) Karsay had the same injury last year and he was in great shape. It's a matter-of-fact injury you see pop up from time to time." Karsay was out for 23 days last season with the injury. Still, the Indians were not pleased when Colon arrived at training camp overweight and Hart hinted that the team would use the next few weeks to address Colon's fitness. Colon seemed to be off his game from the outset Saturday against the Rangers. He circled around the mound between batters, his fastball wasn't as overpowering as usual and he was relying on changeups more than normal. "I noticed he was bending over, but he didn't tell me was hurt. He didn't say anything to me," said Indians manager Charlie Manuel. On Sunday, Manuel said Bobby Witt, who unexpectedly made the Indians' roster this spring, would likely take Colon's spot in the rotation and could start against the Red Sox in Boston on Friday. Witt, who is in his 14th year in the majors, has appeared in four games in long relief this season. The right-hander has allowed three runs and 10 hits in 7 1-3 innings. The 24-year-old Colon went 18-5 last season, including 11-2 in his 15 second-half starts, and seemed to become the No. 1 starter the Indians have been sorely missing the past few years. He struck out 11 Red Sox in a Game 1 start against Boston in the playoffs, but got a no-decision against Pedro Martinez. Forced to pitch on three days' rest for the first time in his career in Game 4, Colon got pounded for seven runs in one-plus innings as the Indians were routed 23-7. Colon has allowed eight runs and 17 hits with 13 walks and 18 strikeouts in 14 1-3 innings this season. "Bartolo's control hasn't been good in his first three starts," catcher Sandy Alomar said. "He just happened to win the first two games." The Indians were off Monday and open a three-game series at home against Oakland on Tuesday. Injuries still plaguing McGwire, DrewST. LOUIS (AP) - St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire and outfielder J.D. Drew, both facing injuries, are taking it day-to-day for the team. McGwire's exam Monday by trainer Barry Weinberg showed that his lower back mobility has improved and his pain has decreased. He will be re-evaluated Tuesday to determine whether he will be ready for the night game against the San Diego Padres. McGwire has missed the last five Cardinals gmae and was treated for inflammation in the lumbar spine April 14. Drew had precautionary X-rays on his left wrist after it was struck by a Gabe White pitch in Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Drew's injury was diagnosed as a contusion of the wrist, and his playing status is day-to-day. Diamondbacks send Dellucci to Tucson, activate FoxPHOENIX (AP) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned popular outfielder David Dellucci to Triple-A Tucson on Monday and activated utility player Andy Fox. Dellucci, who has been with the Diamondbacks since he was chosen from Baltimore in the expansion draft, is coming back from major wrist surgery and had seen little playing time this season. He also was one of the few Arizona players who could be sent to the minors without clearing waivers. "If you know anything about baseball, anybody of the street could have predicted it," Dellucci said. "I kind of expected it, but I didn't want it to happen." Dellucci, a fan favorite, was the odd man out in the battle for playing time in right field, with manager Buck Showalter platooning Travis Lee and Bernard Gilkey. "It's like I told David, he's a big-league player playing at Triple-A," Showalter said. "He can get some at bats and do what he's capable of doing. At this point, with Tony Womack being gone Fox being able to play the outfield, we feel like we're a better club right now." Dellucci had appeared in three games. He had one hit in two at bats. Dellucci, known for his aggressive style on defense and at the plate, has had a hard time finding his old form after coming back from surgery to repair a rare, career-threatening bone condition in his wrist. But Showalter said Dellucci was just a victim of circumstances. "It's not because of something David did," Showalter said. "It's because of the way our ballclub's constructed right now. It just doesn't fit. He's out of options this year, and we won't be having this conversation again." Fox had missed the team's first 12 games with a hairline fracture in the bone that connects to his left thumb. The injury occurred when he caught a line drive at third base in a spring training game. Fox has played every position but catcher and pitcher for Arizona. Womack missed Monday night's game against Colorado to attend his grandmother's funeral. He might miss Tuesday's game as well. Meanwhile, closer Matt Mantei was sent to Tucson for two more rehabilitation appearances before he will be activated by the big club. Mantei was placed on the disabled list April 1 with biceps tendinitis. He pitched twice for Tucson last week without experiencing any pain, but both of those appearances were starts. The Diamondbacks want him to throw 25 pitches each Tuesday and Wednesday in a relief role before making a decision on whether to activate him. "It's frustrating, but what can you do," said Mantei, who thinks he's ready to be activated right now. "I could pitch tonight if I had to. It's just good to know that I'm healthy enough to pitch again."
| ||||||||||||||||||||
