Orioles injury in first Spring Training game....

[AJWatson3]

i think i just heard that someone might have broken their hand going head first on a slide.... does anybody know who they were talking about???

[AJWatson3]

update, jerry hariston broke his finger stealing third base. i guess that opens up the job for roberts, whom i consider the better of the two.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1750993

Thursday, March 4, 2004


Associated Press
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jerry Hairston broke his right ring finger Thursday in an exhibition game against the Florida Marlins, leaving his status for Opening Day in doubt.


The injury occurred in the first inning of the Orioles' first game of spring. Hairston hit a leadoff single against Josh Beckett, stole second base and then broke a bone in his knuckle while stealing third.


Hairston eventually scored, but was pulled from the game and sent to a hand specialist.


If surgery is required, Hairston almost certainly will miss the Orioles' opener on April 4 against the Boston Red Sox.


Hairston is competing against Brian Roberts for the starting job. Hairston started on Opening Day last year, but broke his foot in May and remained on the disabled list until September. He finished with a .271 batting average in 58 games.


Hairston was held out of Wednesday's intrasquad game as a precaution after some questions arose from the physical he took on the first day of camp. After undergoing an MRI and passing a stress test, Hairston was cleared to play Thursday.


"I'm as healthy as you can possibly be. I'm just happy it's over with and I can go out and play," he said before the game.


Roberts, meanwhile, was held out of Thursday's game because of back spasms. He is expected to return on Friday.


Utility infielder Mark McLemore, signed to a minor league contract last month, replaced Hairston in the lineup against the Marlins.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Now we can trade Hairston to New York for a pitcher...

[SlickNick]

damn, that sucks. Hairston was primed for a big year. Always something with that guy.

[SlickNick]

no, no deals with new york.

How come they made a ravens suck smilie, AND WE STILL CANT GET A YANKEES SUCK?