Times wires
Monday, May 2, 2011
ST. LOUIS — Cardinals 3B David Freese will have surgery on his broken left hand and is expected to miss nine to 12 weeks, his latest extended setback.
Freese was hit in the hand by a pitch from Braves RH reliever Scott Linebrink in the sixth inning Sunday. Freese was batting .356 with a .394 on-base percentage and a .471 slugging percentage in 25 games.
Freese was put on the 15-day disabled list Monday, and INF/OF Allen Craig was activated from the DL.
"We'll make do," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "It's just a tough break for David. We're going to miss him. Brutal."
Freese's surgery today will likely require a metal plate to speed the healing. The Cardinals hope Freese will be back in the lineup before August.
"Things happen. That's all I can say," Freese said. "Obviously it's happened continuously for a couple years now, but I'm not going to look in the past. I'm going to keep going, keep plugging away."
Craig, who can play all four corner positions, was activated before the start of a four-game series against the Marlins. General manager John Mozeliak said Craig would likely have been activated in any case, but he's down the list of potential third-base fill-ins because he hasn't gotten that much work at third.
Daniel Descalso started at third Monday night, and La Russa can use Nick Punto and Tyler Greene, although Punto was hobbled by tightness in his left hamstring after getting removed in the fourth inning Sunday. Albert Pujols played third base for the first time since 2002 after Freese's injury Sunday but is unlikely to see any more action there.
"Probably not something we would like to do," Mozeliak said. "But clearly it's always an option."
Freese was limited to 70 games last season by injuries to both ankles and didn't play after June 28.
ASTROS: LF Carlos Lee rejoined the team in Cincinnati after staying in Houston a day before to have tests on an injured rib.
ATHLETICS: LHP Dallas Braden had a setback in his first throwing session since going on the disabled list April 18 with left shoulder inflammation, and he'll be re-examined by team doctors.
METS: RHP Jenrry Mejia, one of the team's top prospects, has a torn elbow ligament and has been told he needs surgery. Mejia, 21, was 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA in five starts this season at Triple-A Buffalo.
PHILLIES: OF Domonic Brown, a former Pasco High standout, was activated from the 15-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Brown, who fractured his right hamate in March, isn't on a timetable to return to the majors.
RANGERS: Minor-league RHP Andrew Doyle was suspended 50 games for a second drug violation.
RED SOX: RHP Josh Beckett was clear to start Wednesday after a 25-pitch bullpen session went well. … RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, who left last Friday's start with right elbow tightness, is set to return to the rotation Friday.
REDS: RHP Homer Bailey, who has been out since mid March with a shoulder injury, is scheduled to come off the disabled list Thursday and start against the Astros. … 3B Scott Rolen, on the disabled list with a strained left shoulder, is unlikely to be activated when eligible Friday and has no timetable for his return.
WHITE SOX: RHP Jake Peavy, whose return from shoulder surgery was delayed two weeks ago, is set for a minor-league rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Charlotte and could return to the rotation next week.
YANKEES: RHP Phil Hughes tested negative for vascular and circulatory conditions as a possible cause for his dead arm and diminished velocity. … All-Star 2B Robinson Cano sat out with a bone bruise in his left hand. Cano said he hopes to play tonight.