Rocco to have MRI before DL decision

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- It appears that Rays CF Rocco Baldelli is headed to the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain after he was re-evaluated by team orthopedist Dr. Koco Eaton before Wednesday's game, but the team doesn't plan to place him on the DL Wednesday, choosing instead to wait for the outcome of an MRI to be conducted Thursday back in St. Pete, Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said.

Friedman said that Baldelli's injury is in the upper part of his hamstring, which takes less recovery time than the lower part, where Baldelli's past two hamstring strains have occured. Baldelli missed two months last season after straining the same hamstring during spring training and strained the other hamstring this spring training, but was ready for opening day. But the the lingering injury could still keep Baldelli out of action for weeks.

The Rays will play with 24 players today and if Baldelli heads to the DL, they will likely activate DH/1B Greg Norton for Thursday's game. 

Comments

[Warren]

Somehow, the Rays have to get to the root of Rocco's problem here. He's too good and too young for the Rays to let him go down the path that Ken Griffey Jr.'s been going down. Otherwise, sadly, they may need to bid him good-bye to a team that can better afford an excellent, but part-time, player.

[richie ricardo]

HATE HAVING ROCCO HURT BUT MAYBE HE NEEDS A COMEBACK TO PUT THINGS BACK ON TRACK. MEANWHILE THE NEW-LOOK LINEUP IS CLICKING THANKS TO RANGER PITCHERS >> HOW ABOUT THE HOT COMBO AT [2B/SS]..WITH UPTON RANKED 8TH IN THE TOP TEN AT .331 AND HARRIS NO. 4 HITTING .352! THROW IN AKI .339 AND NOT A BAD TRIO. THEN WE WILL HAVE WIGGS TO HELP AT 1ST BASE OR DH.