Sunday, July 12, 2009

And Then There Were Two

From "Broxton to miss All-Star Game" from Dodgers.com:

Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton will miss the All-Star Game with discomfort in his right big toe, he said Saturday. He will also not pitch in the team's final game before the All-Star break.

Manager Joe Torre said he and third-base coach Larry Bowa noticed Broxton limping off the field after the Dodgers beat the Brewers, 12-8, in extra innings on Friday.

"We interrogated him [Friday] night and finally got it out of him," Torre said. "It's been bothering him since Sunday, so he's not going to be available for us." [...]

To shore up their bullpen for the last two games before the break, the Dodgers recalled Scott Elbert from Triple-A Albuquerque. Los Angeles optioned Blake Dewitt to Albuquerque to make room for Elbert.

And from ESPN.com:

"[Broxton's] mentality is, 'I'm not going to be a wimp, I'm going to go out and gut it out," Torre said. "We had a talk today about that, too. You have to be able to help your team when you do that. Even more important than that, you've got to make sure you don't hurt something else adjusting to doing something a little bit different."

Want more bad news regarding our pitching? You got it. From Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times:

[Jeff] Weaver ventured out of the bullpen [yesterday] to take the place of fifth starter Eric Milton, who could be headed for season-ending surgery to repair a herniated disk. [...]

Milton was already on the disabled list with what some suspected might be a phantom injury designed to create a roster spot when he went out for a run in the outfield at Citi Field in New York on Thursday and came down with a real back problem. He underwent an MRI exam the next day, which revealed the herniated disk.

The 33-year-old left-hander, who missed the previous two seasons recovering from an elbow operation, is to be examined in Los Angeles on Monday. Whether Dr. Robert Watkins recommends rest or surgery, Milton isn't expected back any time soon.

Oh, and Roy Halladay? That's a pipe dream. Expect a trade for a fifth starter-type talent, and expect everyone to bitch and moan about losing the prospects it takes to get the deal done. With so many teams still in contention, it's a seller's market.

UPDATE: Hoffman subs for Broxton on NL team (MLB.com)

5 comments:

Fred's Brim said...

that's a tough way to go out for Milton. he's worked hard to get back and was pitching pretty well before he went down

Josh S. said...

That seriously sucks for Milton. I don't think losing him will have long-term effects, though. Joe's been pretty good at working around the gaping hole int he fifth starter spot. I still think Weaver is better than yesterday's performance.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Making Matt Kemp's absence all the more painful. Oh, and that thing about Milton sucks too.

Unknown said...

That Shakin article about the hypothetical trade for Halladay is a laugh riot. Martin and prospects for Halladay, please. Maybe he forgot that Chris Wallace is not the GM for the Blue Jays.

Erin said...

Yeah, the Blue Jays would never take that trade. I would love it if they would, though.

I'm just freaking out about the Phillies getting Halladay. We will be in a whole lot of trouble if that happens.