GotGibson?
Bench Warmer
Vladimir Guerrero wasn't able to throw. Now he can't hit, either, and the Los Angeles Angels must play without their valuable slugger at least one month.
Guerrero has a torn muscle in his chest and was placed on the 15-day disabled list before Friday's game at Minnesota. An examination in Los Angeles by noted team orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum revealed the pectoral tear, a day after an MRI test showed a strain and kept him out of the lineup for the first time this season.
Manager Mike Scioscia said Guerrero would be reevaluated in a month, but he expressed optimism toward the recovery of the eight-time All-Star outfielder and said Guerrero can heal without surgery.
"We're just going to take it one step at a time," Scioscia said.
Guerrero first felt discomfort during an exhibition game April 2, and hadn't played in the field yet -- only as the designated hitter. Before he left the team Thursday, Guerrero said through an interpreter the injury was only affecting him in the field and not giving him problems at the plate.
However, Guerrero only had one extra-base hit -- albeit a home run -- in 32 at-bats and was hitting .250 with three RBIs.
The Angels declined to give a specific timetable beyond Guerrero's next assessment, but Scioscia said he anticipated Guerrero being able to bat before he can throw.
"He would definitely be back in our lineup at that point, but right now it's not in his best interest to do that," the manager said.
Guerrero's replacement on the roster will be made Saturday, Scioscia said. Maicer Izturis was the DH on Friday, batting third, evidence of Scioscia's purported plan to be creative with the lineup to maximize RBI opportunities for Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter. Gary Matthews Jr. will play more, too.
"It's a big **** having Vlad out of our lineup, but we feel when guys start to do what they can do that we're going to have more depth," Scioscia said.
Guerrero has a torn muscle in his chest and was placed on the 15-day disabled list before Friday's game at Minnesota. An examination in Los Angeles by noted team orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum revealed the pectoral tear, a day after an MRI test showed a strain and kept him out of the lineup for the first time this season.
Manager Mike Scioscia said Guerrero would be reevaluated in a month, but he expressed optimism toward the recovery of the eight-time All-Star outfielder and said Guerrero can heal without surgery.
"We're just going to take it one step at a time," Scioscia said.
Guerrero first felt discomfort during an exhibition game April 2, and hadn't played in the field yet -- only as the designated hitter. Before he left the team Thursday, Guerrero said through an interpreter the injury was only affecting him in the field and not giving him problems at the plate.
However, Guerrero only had one extra-base hit -- albeit a home run -- in 32 at-bats and was hitting .250 with three RBIs.
The Angels declined to give a specific timetable beyond Guerrero's next assessment, but Scioscia said he anticipated Guerrero being able to bat before he can throw.
"He would definitely be back in our lineup at that point, but right now it's not in his best interest to do that," the manager said.
Guerrero's replacement on the roster will be made Saturday, Scioscia said. Maicer Izturis was the DH on Friday, batting third, evidence of Scioscia's purported plan to be creative with the lineup to maximize RBI opportunities for Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter. Gary Matthews Jr. will play more, too.
"It's a big **** having Vlad out of our lineup, but we feel when guys start to do what they can do that we're going to have more depth," Scioscia said.
