Should Konerko be put on the DL to heal his thumb?

[VAfan]

Given the Trib story below about Konerko's thumb, would we be better off with him on the DL until it heals? Will it heal with rest?

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...1,6811402.story

 

 

[southsider2k5]

I don't know if it will last or not, but Konerko hit the ball harder last night than he has in a while. If he can hit like that, he will be fine.

[RME JICO]

Given the Trib story below about Konerko's thumb, would we be better off with him on the DL until it heals? Will it heal with rest?

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...1,6811402.story

I would say put him on the 15-day DL if he doesn't improve over the next week. From the following quote, it sounds like he could use some rest.

 

Konerko has tried to play through the pain, but the injury, involving soft tissue and a stretched ligament, has not gotten better.

 

The cortisone shot seemed to help, but you can only have so many of those. Give him a week.

Edited May 27, 2008 by RME JICO

[rokimar]

I don't know if it will last or not, but Konerko hit the ball harder last night than he has in a while. If he can hit like that, he will be fine.

 

Ozzie was quoted saying the same thing about Konerko. The hardest he has hit the ball in long time.

[iamshack]

The question is, how long will it take to completely heal? No one seems to be answering that question.

 

If it will heal in 2 weeks if he is put on the DL, by all means, put him on the DL. If it will heal in a month, put him on the DL.

 

If it's going to take 3 months, then you got to just keep running him out there.

 

But if this thing can heal with a few weeks off, I just wish they would let it heal, because moving Swish to first and playing Brian in center is just as good, if not a better lineup for the Sox right now.

[RockRaines]

He almost put two balls in the bleachers last night after 4 days off. He's fine.

[iamshack]

He almost put two balls in the bleachers last night after 4 days off. He's fine.

 

That's been his problem for a lot of the season. Almost isn't good enough.

[WCSox]

That's been his problem for a lot of the season. Almost isn't good enough.

 

He looked better last night, but only one of those hits was far enough to clear the fence. I don't think that Paulie's anywhere near 100% right now.

 

He's too close to coming back for a 15-day DL stint, so I'd rather see Ozzie platoon him at DH with Thome for the next week, let Swisher play 1B, and put BA in CF.

 

[BobDylan]

Is Jerry Owens healthy? I wouldn't mind moving Swisher to 1B and putting Owens in CF for 15 days just to see what happens.

[NorthSideSox72]

Is Jerry Owens healthy? I wouldn't mind moving Swisher to 1B and putting Owens in CF for 15 days just to see what happens.

Healthy? Yes. A good option? Maybe not. He's hitting .217 right now at Charlotte, with zero power, for a stunningly low .561 OPS. And while he may have more range and slightly better glove work than Swisher in CF, his arm is weak.

 

I'd rather see Wise stay with the team, or call up Brad Eldred who has 18 freakin' home runs and 49 RBI in just 182 at bats, if you are going to DL Paulie.

 

[Steve9347]

I think it's obvious that he should be on the DL.

[Steve9347]

Healthy? Yes. A good option? Maybe not. He's hitting .217 right now at Charlotte, with zero power, for a stunningly low .561 OPS. And while he may have more range and slightly better glove work than Swisher in CF, his arm is weak.

 

I'd rather see Wise stay with the team, or call up Brad Eldred who has 18 freakin' home runs and 49 RBI in just 182 at bats, if you are going to DL Paulie.

That's what I want.

[Chisoxfn]

I'd have to ask Paulie and see what he thinks is best. If 15 or 30 days off brings him to 100% and right now he's at the best he'll be at during the season (since he won't get rest to let it heal) and it will negatively impact his play (thus keeping his numbers at his current rate) than I'd say DL him and go with Anderson in CF (Swisher at 1B), plus call up Fields and get him plenty of at bats as well (at 1st/DH/3B).

[maggsmaggs]

I think we should try and swing a deal for Matt Murton. Maybe Jerry Owens + pitcher for Murton? Stick Murton in CF and play Swish at 1st. Murton could probably handle CF, at least as an average fielder. But he would give our lineup a .300 hitter and okay power. I have always loved Murton because he is just a great hitter.

[VAfan]

I didn't see last night's game. But I don't take the reports that he hit the ball hard as a good sign; I take it as a bad sign. That suggests he can nail the ball now and it still won't go out. I'm not a doctor, but if his injury turns HR power into warning track outs, then I definitely think he should be put on the DL. I'd give him this quick road trip to produce or sit and heal.

[29andPoplar]

I think we should try and swing a deal for Matt Murton. Maybe Jerry Owens + pitcher for Murton? Stick Murton in CF and play Swish at 1st. Murton could probably handle CF, at least as an average fielder. But he would give our lineup a .300 hitter and okay power. I have always loved Murton because he is just a great hitter.

 

Murton is a good hitter no question. However he's shaky in LF and he would be awful in CF. Not to mention Hendry wants a lot for him.

[Chisoxfn]

Murton is a good hitter no question. However he's shaky in LF and he would be awful in CF. Not to mention Hendry wants a lot for him.

I've long been a fan of Matt Murton. He would be a great fit in the Sox lineup, but again, the only way he could slide in is if the Sox were going to use him as a starter against LHP (have him play for Thome) in the long-term. In the shorterm, you'd have to play him at either 1B (with Swisher staying in CF) or in LF (with Quentin moving to CF) and defensively that may not be a good fit. I wouldn't have a problem with his lack of power either, as the Sox have more than enough power and could use a good pure hitter like Murton (good pure hitters are the type of guys that can start a rally off, plus he has enough speed to go 1st to 3rd).

 

Would the Cubs have any interest in a Murton for Owens type of swap. I'm not saying Owens is the right fit in CF for the Cubs, but he could be an option. Value would be poor and I'm sure the Sox would have to give something else up, but again, I can't see how Hendry could have Murton too valued since he's been down in the minors and keeps getting older.

[29andPoplar]

I've long been a fan of Matt Murton. He would be a great fit in the Sox lineup, but again, the only way he could slide in is if the Sox were going to use him as a starter against LHP (have him play for Thome) in the long-term. In the shorterm, you'd have to play him at either 1B (with Swisher staying in CF) or in LF (with Quentin moving to CF) and defensively that may not be a good fit. I wouldn't have a problem with his lack of power either, as the Sox have more than enough power and could use a good pure hitter like Murton (good pure hitters are the type of guys that can start a rally off, plus he has enough speed to go 1st to 3rd).

 

Would the Cubs have any interest in a Murton for Owens type of swap. I'm not saying Owens is the right fit in CF for the Cubs, but he could be an option. Value would be poor and I'm sure the Sox would have to give something else up, but again, I can't see how Hendry could have Murton too valued since he's been down in the minors and keeps getting older.

Jason I doubt the Cubs want Owens. I can't see Lou wanting him, not until they make the call on Edmonds, at minimum.

 

Murton is a man without a position and that's what keeps him from the majors. I agree the power thing is overrated. For whatever reason Hendry has been very reluctant to part with him. Red Sox have asked about getting him back and Hendry keeps shutting them down. It is a shame he's stuck in AAA though because he can hit.

 

Speaking of wayward Cubbie outfielders, it wouldn't shock me if Corey Patterson gets DFA'd later today.

Edited May 27, 2008 by 29andPoplar

[ptatc]

The problem he has is called DeQuervain's Syndrome. It's a tenosynovitis near the base of his thumb by the wrist. There is a synovial sheath which surrounds a couple of tendons and the function is to move your wrist toward the thumb side and grip with your thumb. This is why it hurts to grip the bat and swing. the tendons become inflammed andpush on the membrane which in turn produces more fluid and causes swelling in the area.

 

this problem will not heal unless you rest it for around 8 weeks. the little rest and injections will improve the function and pain but it will be around for the rest of the season to some degree. He cannot have more than 3 injections to the area otherwise the tissues will start to degenerate. The question will be how much improvement is there with short period of rest. Bracing will not allow sufficient motion to hit properly.

[29andPoplar]

The problem he has is called DeQuervain's Syndrome. It's a tenosynovitis near the base of his thumb by the wrist. There is a synovial sheath which surrounds a couple of tendons and the function is to move your wrist toward the thumb side and grip with your thumb. This is why it hurts to grip the bat and swing. the tendons become inflammed andpush on the membrane which in turn produces more fluid and causes swelling in the area.

 

this problem will not heal unless you rest it for around 8 weeks. the little rest and injections will improve the function and pain but it will be around for the rest of the season to some degree. He cannot have more than 3 injections to the area otherwise the tissues will start to degenerate. The question will be how much improvement is there with short period of rest. Bracing will not allow sufficient motion to hit properly.

Great stuff.

 

So it's fair to expect this whole year to be a struggle for him, quite possibly very subpar numbers wise.

[fathom]

The problem he has is called DeQuervain's Syndrome. It's a tenosynovitis near the base of his thumb by the wrist. There is a synovial sheath which surrounds a couple of tendons and the function is to move your wrist toward the thumb side and grip with your thumb. This is why it hurts to grip the bat and swing. the tendons become inflammed andpush on the membrane which in turn produces more fluid and causes swelling in the area.

 

this problem will not heal unless you rest it for around 8 weeks. the little rest and injections will improve the function and pain but it will be around for the rest of the season to some degree. He cannot have more than 3 injections to the area otherwise the tissues will start to degenerate. The question will be how much improvement is there with short period of rest. Bracing will not allow sufficient motion to hit properly.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's on his left thumb? Wouldn't it also bother him when catching throws at first base? Also, is this injury different than the gamekeeper's thumb that some catchers get?

Edited May 27, 2008 by fathom

[Chisoxfn]

Jason I doubt the Cubs want Owens. I can't see Lou wanting him, not until they make the call on Edmonds, at minimum.

 

Murton is a man without a position and that's what keeps him from the majors. I agree the power thing is overrated. For whatever reason Hendry has been very reluctant to part with him. Red Sox have asked about getting him back and Hendry keeps shutting them down. It is a shame he's stuck in AAA though because he can hit.

 

Speaking of wayward Cubbie outfielders, it wouldn't shock me if Corey Patterson gets DFA'd later today.

There is no reason for the Reds to hold onto Patterson now that Bruce has been called up. Bruce should get significant playing time and Freel is ahead of Patterson on the depth chart as well. I still believe that Freel is a prime target for the Sox to acquire, if they don't feel that Richar/Ramirez are the guys to start at 2B this year.

[29andPoplar]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's on his left thumb? Wouldn't it also bother him when catching throws at first base? Also, is this injury different than the gamekeeper's thumb that some catchers get?

I thought it was his top hand, i.e. his right hand?

[WCSox]

The problem he has is called DeQuervain's Syndrome. It's a tenosynovitis near the base of his thumb by the wrist. There is a synovial sheath which surrounds a couple of tendons and the function is to move your wrist toward the thumb side and grip with your thumb. This is why it hurts to grip the bat and swing. the tendons become inflammed andpush on the membrane which in turn produces more fluid and causes swelling in the area.

 

this problem will not heal unless you rest it for around 8 weeks. the little rest and injections will improve the function and pain but it will be around for the rest of the season to some degree. He cannot have more than 3 injections to the area otherwise the tissues will start to degenerate. The question will be how much improvement is there with short period of rest. Bracing will not allow sufficient motion to hit properly.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Sounds like Paulie could use a couple of weeks off. He's almost an automatic out at the plate, and playing him at 1B isn't helping his thumb heal. Maybe a stint on the 15-day DL (with Swisher at 1B and BA in CF), and working him back into the lineup slowly (to keep the swelling down) would be the best course of action.

Edited May 27, 2008 by WCSox

[Kalapse]

Is Jerry Owens healthy? I wouldn't mind moving Swisher to 1B and putting Owens in CF for 15 days just to see what happens.

Kind of funny; in 157 AAA ABs this season Jerry Owens has 5 2B, 0 3B and 1 HR. In 60 MLB ABs this season Brian Anderson has 5 2B, 0 3B and 1 HR.