 |
 |
 |
|
When Los Angeles starter Kelvim Escobar came up lame with a sore shoulder early this spring, the Angels were prepared. One big reason they acquired Jon Garland from the Chicago White Sox this winter was because, given Escobar's history of shoulder and elbow issues (time on the disabled list in each of the past three seasons), they knew they needed protection.
When star closer Francisco Rodriguez came up lame with two -- count 'em -- sprained ankles this week, manager Mike Scioscia re-drew his plans and figured to use a closer-by-committee featuring Justin Speier, Scot Shields and, maybe even, Darren Oliver.
|
|
| K-Rod is the latest Angel to come up lame. (US Presswire) |
Whoa. Say what?
Last August?
Nearly everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong early for the AL West favorite Angels, with starters Escobar and John Lackey on the disabled list, Shields missing time early with a sore forearm and now K-Rod's bad wheels.
But while Rodriguez's 135 saves since the start of the 2005 season add up to a major-league high, an ankle injury this early in the season that dates back to last August doesn't add up.
Especially given that Rodriguez pitched 25 1/3 innings this offseason in the Venezuelan winter league, more than he's pitched the previous two winters combined.
"His command was excellent in winter ball," Angels general manager Tony Reagins says. "As far as winter ball goes, he pitched fine. His command was very good. That's what he was working on in spring training, and it wasn't a factor."
The Angels, who beat Rodriguez in arbitration this winter -- consequently, he's earning $10 million this season rather than $12.5 million -- believed K-Rod to be sound when spring training started. Manager Mike Scioscia says Rodriguez's ankle was fine during camp.
The closer insists on pitching in Venezuela each winter, believing it prepares him for the big league season. Given the two-time All-Star's rampant success since bursting onto the scene during the 2002 postseason, the Angels have been happy to go along with him. Scioscia says Rodriguez always has been honest with the Angels regarding his health.
An MRI following his blown save in Monday's game against Cleveland revealed no tendon tears (just as X-rays earlier revealed no bone breaks or cracks), so it's a matter of treating and nursing the ankle until it's better. Scioscia kept him out of a save situation Tuesday (Speier blew the Angels' second in as many nights), wasn't going to use him Wednesday and hopes Thursday's off-day helps as well. The plan is for K-Rod to throw a bullpen session in Seattle on Friday or Saturday, see how he's feeling and go from there.
"With a lower extremity issue with a pitcher, you have to treat it with every bit of diligence as you do his arm because it's all connected," Scioscia says.
