Pitch puts Soriano out 4-6 weeks

Bad Break for Soriano

06/12/2008

BY Aaron Gleeman

Players To Watch and the Growing DL


Indians' Martinez to undergo MRI on elbow

Beltran's walk-off ends Mets losing streak

Soriano breaks hand, out at least six weeks

Uggla's walk-off slam powers Marlins to win

Nats' Zimmerman out another 4-6 weeks

Mets' Alou undergoes MRI on calf

Pujols to go on DL with calf strain

Alfonso Soriano came into Wednesday's game batting .325/.367/.643 since returning from the disabled list on May 1, but will be sidelined for at least the next six weeks after an errant pitch from Jeff Bennett broke his left hand. Micah Hoffpauir figures to be called up to replace Soriano on the roster and could see some action against right-handers, but Mark DeRosa is likely to get the bulk of the starts in left field while Mike Fontenot steps in for him at second base. It makes sense for Albert Pujols owners to show some patience by seeing if he can return in a few weeks before making a big move, but Soriano owners shouldn't count on having him back in the lineup before August. He's expected to be in a splint for the next three weeks, so there's little chance of a miracle recovery. Hoffpauir has enough power potential to be an asset if he's playing regularly, but Soriano owners should spend today sending out league-wide feelers for big bats.While the Cubs suddenly look a whole lot less comfortable with their MLB-best record, here are some other notes from around baseball .

Felix Hernandez was absolutely brilliant Wednesday afternoon against the Blue Jays, totaling eight strikeouts while allowing just an unearned run on four hits over eight innings. Unfortunately even that turned into bad news, as the Mariners' nightmare season may have gotten even worse. Hernandez wasn't able to finish the game because of a calf strain, saying afterward that his leg "was getting tighter and tighter" as the afternoon went on.That led to J.J. Putz trying to close out a one-run lead, but instead he showed decreased velocity while walking the leadoff man and then exited with elbow soreness. He was clearly uncomfortable on the mound, shaking his arm several teams, but manager John McLaren indicated afterward that the Mariners hope it's merely a day-to-day situation. Putz's performance has slipped in a big way this season and he had an ugly outing on June 1, so there's definitely reason for concern. Meanwhile, Brandon Morrow stepped in for Putz and slammed the door by retiring three straight hitters for his first career save. Morrow had an up and down rookie season in large part because of 50 walks in 63.1 frames, but has muted speculation about the Mariners possibly moving him to the rotation by posting a 1.00 ERA and 25-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 18 innings as a reliever. If Putz needs a stint on the disabled list, Morrow will likely get ninth-inning duties.

Francisco Liriano's velocity remains significantly below where it was prior to Tommy John elbow surgery, but his outings at Triple-A have gotten increasingly impressive. Liriano tossed six innings of one-run ball Tuesday, striking out seven and handing out just one walk for the fifth time in six starts. He has a 3.35 ERA and 41-to-15 strikeout-to-walk over 51 innings since being sent back to Rochester, including racking up 21 strikeouts over 18.1 innings during his last three starts.Liriano's complete inability to throw the ball over the plate sabotaged a rushed comeback attempt, so it's very encouraging to see the progress that he's made with his control over the past month. Liriano can have success in the majors again whether or not his stuff ever returns to pre-surgery levels, but consistently throwing strikes will become hugely important if his fastball continues to clock in at 88-92 miles per hour. While he's made great progress, Liriano remains nowhere near his old self. Totaling 41 strikeouts over a 51-inning span is far from exceptional, especially compared to the amazing strikeout rates that he posted prior to surgery, and his ground ball-to-fly ball ratio is nearly even after he once ranked among the most extreme ground-ball pitchers in baseball. Liriano looks nothing like the mess we saw in April, but also still looks nothing like the phenom we saw in 2006.

John Smoltz received bad news Wednesday when surgery on his right shoulder revealed more damage than initially expected. Smoltz has a damaged labrum, which is arguably the worst type of injury for a pitcher. General manager Frank Wren called the findings "pretty significant" and added that "at this point they don't know what the prognosis is until he starts trying to throw and rehab in the next few months." Asked about Smoltz's future, Wren said: "We just don't know."

Already on the disabled list with a small tear in his left shoulder, Ryan Zimmerman underwent an MRI exam Wednesday and has been told that he's still at least 4-6 weeks from returning under a best-case scenario. Doctors have told Zimmerman that he has a 70 percent chance of coming back without surgery, but he's by no means out of the woods and could go under the knife if he's not ready around the All-Star break. Aaron Boone and Ronnie Belliard will fill in at third base.

AL Quick Hits:

Victor Martinez left Wednesday's game in the first inning with an elbow injury and Kelly Shoppach homered after replacing him behind the plate . Troy Percival (hamstring) threw a 30-pitch simulated game Tuesday and remains on track to return from the disabled list when eligible Friday . Manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday that Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) could join the Angels before the All-Star break if he returns as a reliever . General manager J.P. Ricciardi said Tuesday that Aaron Hill (concussion) is still at least five days from beginning a minor-league rehab assignment . Inexplicably batting second Wednesday, Willie Bloomquist went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts and is now 7-for-46 (.152) with zero extra-base hits on the season . Frank Thomas (quadriceps) is hoping to return from the DL when the A's are done playing interleague games in NL parks on June 20 . Garret Anderson was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with a sore knee . Barring setbacks, both Joel Zumaya (shoulder) and Fernando Rodney (shoulder) are on track to rejoin the Tigers' bullpen next week.

NL Quick Hits:

Dan Uggla smacked a walk-off grand slam Wednesday, beating the Phillies while moving within two homers of Chase Utley's MLB-leading total . Meanwhile, Cole Hamels racked up 13 strikeouts over eight innings of two-run ball, but got stuck with a no-decision when Tom Gordon coughed up the lead on the aforementioned Uggla blast . With Matt Holliday back in the lineup, Ryan Spilborghs is expected to see increased action in center field at the expense of Willy Taveras . Ryan Doumit went 3-for-4 with a homer Wednesday, going deep for the third time in two games since coming off the disabled list . Conor Jackson started in left field Wednesday, allowing the Diamondbacks to play Chad Tracy at first base . Despite injuries to Jeff Keppinger and Jerry Hairston, manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday that shifting Brandon Phillips to shortstop isn't an option . After going 21 seasons without a single trip to the DL, Tom Glavine (elbow) is back on the shelf for the second time in three months . Todd Wellemeyer left his start last week with elbow soreness and was scratched from his outing Tuesday, but is now scheduled to start Saturday against the Phillies.