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Roundup Reds activate Larkin from disabled list
Posted: Tuesday May 16, 2000 09:30 PM
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Reds shortstop Barry Larkin was reinstated Tuesday after being on the disabled list since April 22 with an injured finger. At the time of the injury, Larkin was off to his best start since 1995, hitting .355 with two homers and 13 RBIs. He hoped to return from the disabled list last weekend, but doctors wanted him to give his hand more time to recover from surgery performed the day of his injury. The Reds went 13-9 while Larkin was out, putting together their best run of the season. "It made it bearable to sit and watch and cheer," Larkin said. "Hopefully, I don't mess up the thing they've got going on here."
Ripken gets shot for ailing backANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Cal Ripken Jr. rejoined the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday for their two-game series against the Anaheim Angels after spending his off day seeing a back specialist. Ripken, 39, flew in from Cleveland, where he visited orthopedic surgeon Dr. Henry Bohlman. The Orioles' third baseman was given a shot of medication for inflammation of two nerve roots that are in the same area where Bohlman had performed surgery on Ripken's back last Sept. 23. "There's a small disc fragment that's helping causing the irritation, along with some scar tissue," Ripken said a before missing his fourth consecutive game. "Basically it's because of the activity -- the diving, the hyperextending, the bouncing and the jarring. But they're not overly concerned and I'm not overly concerned. I want to feel better and I want to play." Last year, back problems limited baseball's 'Iron Man' to 86 games and forced him to take several cortisone shots in the general area of the pain. The injection Ripken received on Monday was directly into the nerve root. It had immediate effects, he reported, adding that there was deadness in the area Tuesday and lingering soreness from the needle. "The source of the irritation was pretty much known when I went to Cleveland, and then Dr. Bohlman recommended that I have the shot," Ripken said. "I didn't pay that much attention to the actual substance that was put in there, but it's supposed to help take away the inflammation. So I would assume it's cortisone." The 20-year veteran, who was used as a DH last week for the first time in his career, had scheduled the checkup date for Monday because of the nerve irritation. He thought it would stay at that level until he could see his doctor. But last Thursday, he dived for a ball and the intensity of the pain increased, limiting the pressure Ripken could put on his left leg. So he underwent an MRI on Friday. Ripken's doctor changed the anti-inflammatory medication his patient had been taking orally, and has prescribed medicine designed to deal with the area more directly and quicker so that he'll be able to play. "I feel fine. I feel very encouraged," said Ripken, who has been on the disabled list twice since ending his major league-record streak of 2,632 consecutive games. "The nerve irritation that is causing it has subsided, and it's just matter of letting the medicine work. "I'll give it one more day and try it tomorrow. I think I probably could push it and attempt to play today, but I don't think it would be the smartest thing to do. But I expect to play tomorrow and I expect to be able to move and to do everything I need to do."
'El Duquecito' has another strong outingTAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- 'El Duquecito' was impressive again. Cuban defector Adrian Hernandez allowed two runs -- one earned -- and struck out nine over four innings Tuesday for the New York Yankees' extended spring training team against Tampa Bay minor leaguers. Among four hits Hernandez allowed were a solo homer by John Jacobs and two infield singles. The right-hander, whose style is similar to that of Orlando 'El Duque' Hernandez of the New York Yankees, threw 45 of 60 pitches for strikes. Hernandez has struck out 16 and given up five hits over eight innings in his two extended spring appearances. Yankees outfielder Felix Jose, on the disabled list with a groin injury, went 0-for-5 as designated hitter.
Blue Jays option Halladay; recall MunroTORONTO (Ticker) -- Toronto Blue Jays struggling righthander Roy Halladay, who was demoted to the bullpen after a rocky start against Cleveland on May 5, today was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse of the International League. The Blue Jays consider the 23-year-old Halladay one of their top young pitchers, but so far he has been a disappointment in his brief major league career. This season, Halladay is just 2-4 with an 11.97 ERA, allowing 47 earned runs in 35 1/3 innings. To take his roster spot, the Blue Jays recalled righthander Peter Munro from Triple-A Syracuse of the International League. Munro was 1-1 with a 4.30 ERA in four starts for the Chiefs after failing to earn a decision in four relief appearances with the Blue Jays.
Rogers scratched from startARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Texas Rangers left-hander Kenny Rogers will miss Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays because of a strained shoulder. He injured himself during Friday's 3-2 loss against the Anaheim Angels. Mark Clark will face the Devil Rays on Tuesday, with Doug Davis to pitch Wednesday. Rogers said his shoulder tightened after making a throw to first to get the last out of the seventh inning. Rogers was charged with three runs and 10 hits in 7 1-3 innings. He took the loss after failing to hold a 2-0 lead. arin Erstad homered in the fifth and Troy Glaus led off the seventh with his ninth homer. Mercker makes statement from hospitalANAHEIM, Calif. (Ticker) -- Anaheim Angels lefthander Kent Mercker, who is suffering from a sub-arachnoid hematoma, was transferred from intensive care to a private room Monday night at the UCI Medical Center in Orange and released a statement Tuesda morning. The 32-year-old Mercker left last Thursday's game against Texas at Edison Field after 1 1/3 innings, complaining of dizziness and severe headaches. He was taken to UCI Medical Center, where a CT scan and arteriogram were performed. Dr. John Kusske, UCI chair of neurologic surgery, stated that results indicated bleeding within space of the brain. The cause and origin has not been determined. "My wife Julie and I would like to express our deepest gratitude for all the supportive responses we've received in the past week," Mercker said in the statement. "The thoughts, messages and prayers have meant a great deal to our family. We also want to say thanks to the staff at UCI Medical Center, my teammates and the Angels organization for being there every step of the way. "This has been a frustrating and confusing period of time in trying to secure all the answers. I feel pretty good now, but believe me I intend to continue following my doctor's instructions. I look forward to seeing all of you soon either in the clubhouse or on the mound. Again, my words can't convey our appreciation." Mercker will remain at UCI for continued observation and evaluation and will undergo additional testing within the next week. After signing a minor league deal in the offseason, Mercker earned a roster spot in spring training with the Angels and is scheduled to make $850,000. He is 0-1 with a 5.16 ERA in 12 appearances, including two starts. Mercker spent the 1999 season with St. Louis and Boston, going 8-5 with a 5.91 ERA and collecting $2.5 million. He was 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in three postseason appearances for the Red Sox. A former first-round pick by Atlanta, Mercker is 62-59 with a 4.23 ERA in 357 games, including 145 starts. He also has pitched for Baltimore and Cleveland and tossed a no-hitter as a Brave on April 8, 1994 against Los Angeles. Mercker also took part in a combined no-hitter on Sept. 11, 1991 while with Atlanta.
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