MRIs for Pods, Hermanson

[SSH2005]

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=cws

Notes: MRIs for Pods, Hermanson

Nomo to get in some Cactus League action

 

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

 

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Dustin Hermanson had the first of three consecutive weekly epidurals administered Tuesday morning, trying to combat the reoccurrence of pain in his back.

 

Scott Podsednik had a second MRI done on his sore left shoulder, this one with a contrast injected beforehand to get a better look at the problem. Now, the White Sox wait and see what the next step is to be taken for these two key cogs in the team's drive to repeat.

 

White Sox athletic trainer Herm Schneider said that Podsednik's MRI would be read on Wednesday by one of the team's "shoulder guys coming from Chicago." Podsednik, who hasn't played since March 6 and has nine at-bats all spring, said that the pain has made it rough for him to get the bat through the zone and that he can't hit the ball up the middle or the other way.

 

Even with the need for a second MRI, Podsednik remains confident that the problem is shoulder inflammation in the muscle and not in the joint. But he will wait for Wednesday's diagnosis to move forward.

 

"We will obviously go on how it feels and search other avenues," Podsednik said. "Maybe a cortisone injection and maybe not. It's a matter of getting with [the doctor] and deciding the next step.

 

"I think we all needed the second look to find out exactly what's going on in there. We will see how it feels the next few days and try to start increasing my activity."

 

Schneider expressed very little surprise in regard to Hermanson's back becoming an issue once again. In fact, he expected it. Hermanson worked hard to strengthen the troublesome area in the offseason, but he never pitched in a game situation, as Schneider pointed out, which seems to cause the right-hander problems.

 

"Did you think it was just going to go away?" said Schneider, who spoke of dealing with Hermanson's back pain, "every day last year. ... I just wasn't sure when it was going to surface, and it surfaced early. I knew I would have to deal with it sooner or later."

 

Hermanson, 33, will receive another epidural on March 21 and the final in the series on March 28. Schneider said they aren't dealing with rehabilitating Hermanson's back, but are more focused on handling the pain.

 

The epidurals won't prevent Hermanson from pitching, according to Schneider, although Hermanson's name was crossed off the list of potential pitchers for Wednesday's game against Colorado and Saturday at home against the Cubs. Ultimately, Schneider foresees a 2006 season for Hermanson somewhat like the end of 2005, with a lot of work to overcome the pain and get him to the mound.

 

It's seemingly up to Hermanson, at this point.

 

"I can nurse him through it all year," Schneider said of Hermanson. "But he'll have to want to go through it."

 

Searching for help: In an attempt to leave no relief stone unturned to cover for Hermanson and an inconsistent group of pitchers trying to earn a bullpen slot, general manager Ken Williams, manager Ozzie Guillen and pitching coach Don Cooper were among a group watching Hideo Nomo pitch during a Minor League intrasquad game Tuesday morning.

 

Nomo threw two scoreless innings and struck out two, although the statistics didn't concern Guillen. With only one or two relief spots open, and the 37-year-old having made two previous relief appearances in 320 career trips to the mound over his 11-year-career, Nomo's chances to make the team are very slim.

 

But Guillen said that Nomo will be used in Major League games during the final 16 days of Cactus League action, after another Minor League appearance or two.

 

"To work as a reliever is a lot different for him because he has to throw strikes," Guillen. "He can't work around people. He threw a lot of strikes, and if Nomo throws strikes, he will be fine.

 

"We are looking for relievers and right now, they all [stink]. The opportunity is there and nobody wants to grab it."

 

On the move: None of the six roster moves made by the White Sox prior to Tuesday's game against Arizona would be classified in the unexpected variety. Knuckleballer Charles Haeger, infielder Pedro Lopez, first baseman Casey Rogowski and catcher Chris Stewart were optioned to Triple-A Charlotte, while pitchers Lance Broadway and Ray Liotta were reassigned to Minor League camp.

 

Liotta finished with a 2.25 ERA over three games, earning praise from Guillen. But the left-hander's future is in the starting rotation, so he never really was considered for the final relief spot on the White Sox staff.

 

Broadway, the team's first-round pick from the 2005 First-Year Player draft, knew a few days ago that Tuesday would be the end of his spring run with the big leaguers. Despite a 9.82 ERA over three games, Broadway felt the experience was extremely valuable as he moves on to Double-A Birmingham in 2006.

 

"That's why I was here -- to watch and learn," Broadway said. "From a pitching standpoint, I know I need to command my fastball. These guys go out there and will make bad pitches, but for the most part, they throw the fastball where they want to throw it.

 

"I also need to have confidence in my stuff. There were times when I tried to make the perfect pitch, and I realize I don't have to every time."

 

A change in focus: Brandon McCarthy allowed four runs on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings Tuesday against Arizona, but said it was the happiest he had been with an outing this spring. Tuesday also marked McCarthy's final spring start, as he moves into the relief stage of preparation for his regular-season bullpen work.

 

McCarthy could return to the mound one day earlier than his usual four days between starts. He is ready to test how his arm responds to pitching on back-to-back days for the first time in his career.

 

"It's not necessarily where your arm is at," McCarthy said. "My arm can get loose in five minutes. It's me being comfortable throwing 10 times and then going out to the mound and facing big league hitters."

 

"We are going to start [using McCarthy in relief] because that's his role," Guillen added.

 

Third to first: Donald Fehr, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, was in White Sox camp Tuesday for the annual spring meeting. "You can assume we talked about all issues and relevant common interests," said Fehr. "We have a new drug agreement and we have a collective bargaining agreement to negotiate." ... Jim Thome (right shoulder) and Joe Crede (left elbow) were hit by pitches in consecutive at-bats by Luis Vizcaino in the third. Thome was replaced by Joe Borchard immediately, and Josh Fields replaced Crede at third base in the top of the fourth. Neither player suffered any after-effects.

[fathom]

Pods won't be ready for opening day.

[SouthsideBlitz]

Nomo threw two scoreless innings and struck out two, although the statistics didn't concern Guillen. With only one or two relief spots open, and the 37-year-old having made two previous relief appearances in 320 career trips to the mound over his 11-year-career, Nomo's chances to make the team are very slim.

 

Forgot we signed him ... With hermie possibly going down and our LOOGY pitchers not helping our situation, Nomo actually might make this team ...

[jphat007]

Pods won't be ready for opening day.

 

Oh snap. They sent the MRI directly to you? ANd you are an MD? Nice. I had no clue. I better put the MD in there.

 

Fathom, MD

 

Looks nice.

 

They'll just give him a coritsone if necessary.

Edited March 15, 2006 by jphat007

[fathom]

  Forgot we signed him ... With hermie possibly going down and our LOOGY pitchers not helping our situation, Nomo actually might make this team ...

 

Yay, another outstanding arm in the bullpen. :banghead Nomo doesn't throw strikes, and he has nothing left on his pitches. Considering he can't hold runners, throws a lot of balls in the dirt, and can barely reach 85 mph on his fastball, he shouldn't even be considered for a MLB bullpen spot.

[SSH2005]

Pods won't be ready for opening day.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That wouldn't hurt a ton though if it does indeed happen. Mackowiak would just start in LF and probably lead off. It might have an impact on Borchard making the team though.

[fathom]

Oh snap. They sent the MRI directly to you? ANd you are an MD? Nice. I had no clue. I better put the MD in there.

 

Fathom, MD

 

Looks nice.

 

They'll just give him a coritsone if necessary.

 

Considering he went from saying everything is fine to saying he can't get the bat through the zone, it doesn't sound like things are improving at all. I know you're the most optimistic person on the face of this Earth, but this isn't what I would describe as great news.

[fathom]

That wouldn't hurt a ton though if it does indeed happen.  Mackowiak would just start in LF and probably lead off.  It might have an impact on Borchard making the team though.

 

We're going to face quite a few lefties to start the season. Who will be playing LF vs lefty? Ozuna again?

[SouthsideBlitz]

Yay, another outstanding arm in the bullpen.  Nomo doesn't throw strikes, and he has nothing left on his pitches. Considering he can't hold runners, throws a lot of balls in the dirt, and can barely reach 85 mph on his fastball, he shouldn't even be considered for a MLB bullpen spot.

 

Not saying I'm thrilled eithier but it ain't like were getting help from anyone else.

[SSH2005]

We're going to face quite a few lefties to start the season.  Who will be playing LF vs lefty?  Ozuna again?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess Ozuna could start against some tough lefties. He hit them well last season, even though his defense is shaky. But you are just assuming that Podsednik won't be ready to start the season. We don't know that yet.

[fathom]

Not saying I'm thrilled eithier but it ain't like were getting help from anyone else.

 

I have a feeling that another couple of games of nearly every reliever having a WHIP of 3 might make KW accelerate any trade possibilities.

[jackie hayes]

Considering he went from saying everything is fine to saying he can't get the bat through the zone, it doesn't sound like things are improving at all.  I know you're the most optimistic person on the face of this Earth, but this isn't what I would describe as great news.

But he's confident it's just the muscle -- it must not be a big deal.

[jphat007]

Considering he went from saying everything is fine to saying he can't get the bat through the zone, it doesn't sound like things are improving at all.  I know you're the most optimistic person on the face of this Earth, but this isn't what I would describe as great news.

 

LOL. There has been nothing in any article to suggest that he will miss opening day. If that thought was in the mind of the team you can bet that they would have mentioned it in the article.

 

But I don't know why I should be surprised.

[fathom]

But he's confident it's just the muscle -- it must not be a big deal.

 

Lots of shoulder controversy in the city of Chicago today.

 

BTW, I'm not saying Pods is going to be out a long time. I just think he might be 3-5 days behind schedule. Since we're likely facing C.C. on opening night, it's not a big deal.

[quickman]

Yay, another outstanding arm in the bullpen.  :banghead    Nomo doesn't throw strikes, and he has nothing left on his pitches.  Considering he can't hold runners, throws a lot of balls in the dirt, and can barely reach 85 mph on his fastball, he shouldn't even be considered for a MLB bullpen spot.

 

 

Your starting to sound like someone I know.

[jphat007]

I guess Ozuna could start against some tough lefties.  He hit them well last season, even though his defense is shaky.  But you are just assuming that Podsednik won't be ready to start the season.  We don't know that yet.

 

Sure we do. It was suggested in that article. Oh wait.....

[SSH2005]

This thread is going to be good. It's the battle of the ultimate pessimist (fathom) versus the ultimate optimist (jphat007).

 

Who will win? Tune in and find out...

[jackie hayes]

LOL. There has been nothing in any article to suggest that he will miss opening day. If that thought was in the mind of the team you can bet that they would have mentioned it in the article.

B/c teams love mentioning all the health problems their players are having...

[jphat007]

This thread is going to be good.  It's the battle of the ultimate pessimist (fathom) versus the ultimate optimist (jphat007). 

 

Who will win?  Tune in and find out...

 

I won last year when we won the world series. According to fathom we ahd the biggest choke in MLB history.

[SouthsideBlitz]

I have a feeling that another couple of games of nearly every reliever having a WHIP of 3 might make KW accelerate any trade possibilities.

 

Hope so ...

[jphat007]

B/c teams love mentioning all the health problems their players are having... 

 

I meant the reporters would get it from them. They wouldn't volunteer the info. They would certainly have no reason to hide it. This isn't football.

[TLAK]

Pods won't be ready for opening day.

Fathom, isn't Jerry Owens best suited to take Pod's lead off role? My God, two rookie OF on a defending WS team. One other thing to bounce off you, Alex Cintron looked fantastic on TV last night. If Iguchi struggles could you see Cintron at short and Uribi at 2nd?

[SSH2005]

Sure we do. It was suggested in that article. Oh wait.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Take it easy, feisty. Nagging injuries can tend to delay an initial prognosis (see Mark Prior). I'm not saying that Podsednik won't be ready to start the season but I don't know if he will either. I just don't buy everything I see and read in the media. Hopefully, Podsednik will be ready to start the season. I guess we will find out soon enough.

[SouthsideBlitz]

Fathom, isn't Jerry Owens best suited to take Pod's lead off role? My God, two rookie OF on a defending WS team. One other thing to bounce off you, Alex Cintron looked fantastic on TV last night. If Iguchi struggles could you see Cintron at short and Uribi at 2nd?

 

Jumping ahead alot ain't we?

[fathom]

I won last year when we won the world series. According to fathom we ahd the biggest choke in MLB history.

 

Wow No one is happier that we won last year than me. And yes, we were on the verge of the biggest choke in MLB history. Thankfully, we didn't choke. That will be my stance with you if you ever bring this up again this season.