galentjm
May-16th-2005, 08:39 AM
He'll try to hit Wednesday; Surhoff has restful Sunday
By Roch Kubatko
Sun Staff
Originally published May 16, 2005
CHICAGO - Sammy Sosa will attempt to hit off a tee Wednesday as he nears a return from the disabled list, the latest bit of good news for the Orioles concerning their injured right fielder.
Sosa went on the disabled list retroactive to May 5 with a staph infection on the bottom of his left foot. Though he has a serious strain, the treatments are bringing positive results.
Team physician Dr. Andy Cosgarea examined Sosa in Baltimore yesterday morning and noted how the foot continues to show improvement. Sosa is scheduled to visit team orthopedist Dr. Charles Silberstein on Wednesday, while the Orioles remain on the road for a series against the Kansas City Royals.
The latest projections have Sosa returning in five to seven days after completing his workouts that should begin later this week. The weekend has been ruled out, but it's still a significant reversal from earlier concerns that he could miss a month.
Manager Lee Mazzilli spoke by phone with executive vice president Jim Beattie before yesterday's game against the Chicago White Sox, and sounded relieved by the reports on Sosa, who hasn't been cleared to run while the wound heals.
"He's going to hit," Mazzilli said. "That's a good sign."
Sosa is batting .269 with four homers and 13 RBIs. He appeared in the first 27 games before developing an abscess on the foot and being scratched from the May 6 lineup.
"His history has always been when it gets warm, he seems to heat up," Mazzilli said. "With his presence and his bat in the lineup, it's sorely missed. To get him back as soon as we can will be good."
Surhoff gets a rest
Careful to give ample rest to his oldest player, Mazzilli sat B.J. Surhoff yesterday despite the outfielder's recent production.
Surhoff, 40, is hitting .372 (16-for-43) with three homers in 11 starts beginning April 23, but David Newhan and Jay Gibbons got the nod against White Sox right-hander Jose Contreras.
"He's been playing a lot and it's a day game after a night game. This is a good day to give him a rest," Mazzilli said.
"You have to remember, he's doing such a great job filling in, but the older you get, you don't bounce back as quick, and that's fine."
Surhoff started seven of the past eight games before his exclusion from yesterday's lineup, which Mazzilli said had nothing to do with Surhoff being 0-for-10 lifetime against Contreras.
Parrish still waiting
Search parties haven't been formed for relief pitcher John Parrish, though he's been missing from games for most of the season. He's in the bullpen, warming up on occasion, straining to remain patient while hearing nothing from the club.
Parrish has made one appearance since April 20, and it came 14 days ago. He allowed two of three inherited runners to score in two-thirds of an inning against the Toronto Blue Jays. Before that, he logged an inning against the Boston Red Sox.
"I'm just waiting," he said. "I just sit back, watch the games and I'll pitch when I'm called upon."
Blame the starting pitchers who keep going deep into games. Parrish has assumed the role of long reliever with Rick Bauer gone, the later innings for left-handers reserved for setup man Steve Kline and closer B.J. Ryan.
"I throw on the side, throw during the games, that's about it. Just try to stay as sharp as I can and keep my arm strength up and wait for the call," Parrish said.
Asked if he wished someone from the team would explain the situation to him, Parrish said, "It doesn't really matter to me. I dealt with it last year and I can deal with it this year. I'll go in there whenever the phone rings."
Parrish has struggled with his control in the past, and the layoff makes it more difficult for Mazzilli to trust him in close games.
"There are some situations where you'd like to use him for one lefty, but will he throw the ball over the plate?" pitching coach Ray Miller said. "The longer he goes without throwing, the more that question is there. But he'll get in there."
Around the horn
Mazzilli decided to give Larry Bigbie (tender hamstring) an extra day off. ... Rafael Palmeiro collected his 578th double in the eighth, tying Wade Boggs for 14th on the all-time list. ... Miguel Tejada picked up his 38th RBI, tops in the majors, with an infield hit in the seventh. ... Problems with the television feed to WNUV/Channel 54 left Baltimore viewers unable to see the ninth inning of yesterday's game. The transmission apparently was unaffected for other Orioles network stations in the Washington area and in Roanoke, Va., and Greensboro, N.C., a Mid-Atlantic Sports Network official said.
============================
It will be nice to have Sammy back in the lineup. I'm sure Miggy we'll be happy to see him back in there. He doesn't see many fastballs when Palmeiro is hitting behind him. That will change once Sosa is back.
By Roch Kubatko
Sun Staff
Originally published May 16, 2005
CHICAGO - Sammy Sosa will attempt to hit off a tee Wednesday as he nears a return from the disabled list, the latest bit of good news for the Orioles concerning their injured right fielder.
Sosa went on the disabled list retroactive to May 5 with a staph infection on the bottom of his left foot. Though he has a serious strain, the treatments are bringing positive results.
Team physician Dr. Andy Cosgarea examined Sosa in Baltimore yesterday morning and noted how the foot continues to show improvement. Sosa is scheduled to visit team orthopedist Dr. Charles Silberstein on Wednesday, while the Orioles remain on the road for a series against the Kansas City Royals.
The latest projections have Sosa returning in five to seven days after completing his workouts that should begin later this week. The weekend has been ruled out, but it's still a significant reversal from earlier concerns that he could miss a month.
Manager Lee Mazzilli spoke by phone with executive vice president Jim Beattie before yesterday's game against the Chicago White Sox, and sounded relieved by the reports on Sosa, who hasn't been cleared to run while the wound heals.
"He's going to hit," Mazzilli said. "That's a good sign."
Sosa is batting .269 with four homers and 13 RBIs. He appeared in the first 27 games before developing an abscess on the foot and being scratched from the May 6 lineup.
"His history has always been when it gets warm, he seems to heat up," Mazzilli said. "With his presence and his bat in the lineup, it's sorely missed. To get him back as soon as we can will be good."
Surhoff gets a rest
Careful to give ample rest to his oldest player, Mazzilli sat B.J. Surhoff yesterday despite the outfielder's recent production.
Surhoff, 40, is hitting .372 (16-for-43) with three homers in 11 starts beginning April 23, but David Newhan and Jay Gibbons got the nod against White Sox right-hander Jose Contreras.
"He's been playing a lot and it's a day game after a night game. This is a good day to give him a rest," Mazzilli said.
"You have to remember, he's doing such a great job filling in, but the older you get, you don't bounce back as quick, and that's fine."
Surhoff started seven of the past eight games before his exclusion from yesterday's lineup, which Mazzilli said had nothing to do with Surhoff being 0-for-10 lifetime against Contreras.
Parrish still waiting
Search parties haven't been formed for relief pitcher John Parrish, though he's been missing from games for most of the season. He's in the bullpen, warming up on occasion, straining to remain patient while hearing nothing from the club.
Parrish has made one appearance since April 20, and it came 14 days ago. He allowed two of three inherited runners to score in two-thirds of an inning against the Toronto Blue Jays. Before that, he logged an inning against the Boston Red Sox.
"I'm just waiting," he said. "I just sit back, watch the games and I'll pitch when I'm called upon."
Blame the starting pitchers who keep going deep into games. Parrish has assumed the role of long reliever with Rick Bauer gone, the later innings for left-handers reserved for setup man Steve Kline and closer B.J. Ryan.
"I throw on the side, throw during the games, that's about it. Just try to stay as sharp as I can and keep my arm strength up and wait for the call," Parrish said.
Asked if he wished someone from the team would explain the situation to him, Parrish said, "It doesn't really matter to me. I dealt with it last year and I can deal with it this year. I'll go in there whenever the phone rings."
Parrish has struggled with his control in the past, and the layoff makes it more difficult for Mazzilli to trust him in close games.
"There are some situations where you'd like to use him for one lefty, but will he throw the ball over the plate?" pitching coach Ray Miller said. "The longer he goes without throwing, the more that question is there. But he'll get in there."
Around the horn
Mazzilli decided to give Larry Bigbie (tender hamstring) an extra day off. ... Rafael Palmeiro collected his 578th double in the eighth, tying Wade Boggs for 14th on the all-time list. ... Miguel Tejada picked up his 38th RBI, tops in the majors, with an infield hit in the seventh. ... Problems with the television feed to WNUV/Channel 54 left Baltimore viewers unable to see the ninth inning of yesterday's game. The transmission apparently was unaffected for other Orioles network stations in the Washington area and in Roanoke, Va., and Greensboro, N.C., a Mid-Atlantic Sports Network official said.
============================
It will be nice to have Sammy back in the lineup. I'm sure Miggy we'll be happy to see him back in there. He doesn't see many fastballs when Palmeiro is hitting behind him. That will change once Sosa is back.