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Baseball Today: Tuesday, June 3 »
June 2, 2008
By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer
BALTIMORE _ Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has been placed on the disabled list with what manager Terry Francona described Monday night as a “partially torn ECU (or extensor carpi ulnaris) tendon sheath" in his left wrist.
“It’s what holds the tendon in place,” described Francona. “Surgery is very unlikely, but he will be placed on the disabled list.”
The Sox’ manager said Ortiz will be placed in a split or soft cast and the club will have more information on Tuesday.
Prior to tonight's game team physician Thomas Gill met with GM Theo Epstein and had a conference call with Francona to discuss the situation. After the game the manager spoke with Epstein again, but Francona did not want to speculate how long Ortiz would be out of the lineup.
“All of us want a chance to talk with David, with the doctors and we’ll map this out to the best of their ability,” Francona said.
He had a MRI taken on his injured left wrist at 2:30 Monday afternoon in Boston. Ortiz suffered the injury during an at-bat on Saturday and said he felt a 'pop' when he hit a foul ball.
Because the news of Ortiz’s trip to the DL, most of the Red Sox players didn’t know about the situation immediately after Monday's game.
“We just have to keep playing the same way we’re playing until he gets back,” said Manny Ramirez, who always hits fourth in the order behind Ortiz. “He’s a big part of the team and we need him. What can you do? You don’t plan on getting hurt. When things happen you have to be patient. We’ll play like we’ve been playing and we’ll wait for him.”
Francona said the club will wait until Tuesday to make a subsequent roster move. At some point, it’s possible the Sox will recall outfielder/first baseman Brandon Moss from Pawtucket.
With Ortiz on the shelf Ramirez will serve as the club's DH from time to time.
"I think it's nice to give him [a rest from playing left field] sometimes and keep his bat in there,” said Francona. “I don't think he wants to be a DH, nor do we want him to be."
Manny's hamstring, according to Francona, is a little sore, too.
"We pray that (Ortiz) gets better soon and move on," said Ramirez.
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