Baldelli's issues: "Abnormalities" that cause extreme fatigue

Rocco Baldelli will be sidelined indefinitely - but is not retiring - because of what he said are "some type of metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities,'' a condition that leaves him feeling extremely fatigued after just a brief workout.

"When I say "fatigued" my body is literally spent after a very short amount of time out on the field which makes it extremely frustrating and difficult, but it's kind of a reality right now,'' he said during a 13-minute session with reporters before Wednesday's game. "I feel like I've done a serious workout after a very short period of time, and it's a very odd feeling. ... I try not to be too dramatic when I explain what's going on, but it's not easy when you're out on the field for a very short period of time and you're done, and you're not really worth anything else out there. That's a tough thing to handle because you wonder why. You wonder why this is how your body feels.''

Baldelli, 26, said there has been no exact diagnosis but the consensus of several experts was the rare condition that limits the ability of his muscles to recover. "Basically somewhere along the line ... either my body is not making or producing or storing ATP the right way and therefore not allowing, apparently, my muscles to work as they should, and especially recover like they're supposed to on a day-to-day basis. It becomes very difficult to go out and literally be on the field every day and play.''

ATP, according to the website health.howstuffworks.com is a chemical, adenosine triphosphate, that is the energy source for muscles and "in order to continue exercising, your muscles must continuously make ATP. To make this happen, your body must supply oxygen to the muscles and eliminate the waste products and heat. The more strenuous the exercise, the greater the demands of working muscle. If these needs are not met, then exercise will cease - that is, you become exhausted and you won't be able to keep going."

Baldelli provided this description:
"I think the best way to describe it is literal muscle fatigue and cramping way before my body should be feeling these things. I would go out there and I was pretty much incapable of doing basic baseball activities, running and hitting and throwing. These were things I had done my whole life pretty easily and at some point within the last two years, we're not exactly sure why, these things started to change.''
Baldelli moved to verge of tears several times in discussing details of his condition for the first time. He indicated he did not consider the condition life-threatening, saying "it's not something I'm overly worried about as far as on a long-term basis right now. And he said he would do "everything in my power" to get back on the field, but there was no timetable for a return, whether this season or ever. The Rays will place him on the disabled list to start the season and "identify" a replacement to be part of a platoon situation in right field and provide depth at the other spots and DH.

"As far as my baseball career I'm not here to stand in front of you telling you I'm retiring,'' Baldelli said. "We're still going pursue any avenue that we can to try to figure out what is going on and have a better understanding of what is going on. But at this time throughout all of the extensive testing that we've  done, we don't have a concrete answer. The doctors' consensus is these are the problems that I'm experiencing and there's probably a lot of medical proof of these things but they have been unable to specifically identify an exact reason or an exact problem down to a specific name. That's kind of frustrating.''

Baldelli said he will remain on the disabled list "indefinitely until we find out something else that could possibly improve my situation.''

Executive vice president Andrew Friedman termed Baldelli's condition "extremely rare" for professional athlete but said the Rays will work diligently to find a way to get him back on the field.
"The most important thing is I think all of us are cautiously optimistic,'' Friedman said. "I don't have a medical reason to feel that way, but I know with Rocco's determination, with our training staff, with modern medicine the way it is, I refuse to believe there's not a way we can figure this out. It may prove to be naive. It may prove to be right. We don't know yet.''

Baldelli thanked the Rays for their support, saying "this is probably as difficult and frustrating a thing I've ever had to deal with as a person. And we're going to do everything we can to fix and hopefully solve this problem.''

Before Baldelli spoke, Rays manager Joe Maddon offered this perspective:
"It's tough to figure out. It's something that he feels. It's something that unless you're inside that body you have no idea what it feels like. And it's unfortunate because you're talking about a gifted athlete right here. One of the more gifted athletes I would think in all of the American League given a chance to play on a daily basis. So it's hard. It's hard for him. It's harder for him than for us. It's frustrating for us, it's a career for him. It's a way of life. It's supporting his family in the future. It's difficutl. So we're just trying to pay attention to him and respect, because you have no idea what he feels like and it's frustrating. But it's even more frustrating for him.''

Baldelli, 26, has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring strain in a May 15 game, and has played just twice this spring, last on March 4, because his legs haven't recovered well and don't feel right.
"It's not really encouraging right now, it hasn't really been progressing,'' Maddon said before Wednesday's game. "It's one of those day by day situations and it's not moving forward.''

Comments

[raysfan]

wow...sad.

[T]

Too bad the Rays keep counting on him every season rather than looking for help. At least now he can get paid to stay home and play video games-unless his thumbs get tired too

[Sarasota Ralph]

T-
The video game comment was the most senseless heartless remark anyone could have made. How would you like to be 26 years old, and have to face the fact the one career you have trained for and preparded for all your life may be taken away through no fault of your own? I pray to God you never suffer a debillitating illness, that you never have to deal with issues such as diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or worse yet, cancer. Grow Up!

[Gene]

Rocco has been nothing but honest and hard working every day he has been a Ray. I hope there is something that can be identified that will correct this problem. He never slacked off in his effort to the team and I will not stop supporting him. I am glad the team has an option to move on without having to cut him so he can be back when a solution is found.

[Laura]

Wow, maybe nutritional deficiencies are playing a part, like magnesium. Also, I wonder if autism specialists/geneticists might be able to help since it is related to the mitochondrial disorders. I feel for him because I struggle with FM, CFS, MCS, and the post-surgical pain from back surgery and many sports injuries as well.

[Tony]

Maybe now everyone can stop criticizing Rocco like this is somehow his fault. This guy has been nothing but a class act the entire time he's been in the Rays organization. I hope for his sake that he can someday be cured, but I can't imagine how hard it must be for him to know that will probably never happen.

[JB]

Maybe he should try a nap... maybe it has been steroids..When you pull hamstrings and such it is because the tendons are tight from useage...

not buying it Rocco

[vinny]

you cant help but feel for a guy. I am 27 so I am just slightly older. I cannot imagine having somehting like this happen to me at this age. I wish he could recover, you never want to see someone's career get taken away through somehting that is not their fault. It makes you appreciate what you have, because this poor kid is a reminder of how tragic life can unepectedly be. I will pray for you Rocco and hope you can recover

[Zac]

I don't care how long it takes, as long as we keep Rocco a Ray. The moment we let him go, he will be an MVP on another team, he is way too valuable as a leader, and a player. Bring him in the clubhouse even if he can't play if you ask me.

[Mike]

Clearly something above and beyond an injury is affecting Rocco. I hope that it is nothing serious and that he can go onward living a normal life, with or without baseball.

[Rational]

"Maybe he should try a nap... maybe it has been steroids..When you pull hamstrings and such it is because the tendons are tight from useage...

not buying it Rocco"

Hey, douchebag. If you've been paying attention for the past couple years, you'd know that MLB tests for steroids, and several players, including at least one Devil Ray, was caught and punished.

Rocco was not one of them!

You have no legitimate reason not to believe him!

[steve]

The Rays need to release Rocco now. Wish him the best but let's move on. They can use his salary to pick up some more middle relief. Baseball is a business so you can't keep paying someone because you feel bad for him.

[JB]

Rational..Have a clue.. The guy is worthless. We are just finding out now he is tired??!! Please..It has been his leg for 3 years.. Rocco himself has said he was ready and now this.. Just saying it might be HGH and Steroids...

[Chris]

I have a disease called myasthenia gravis . Rocco's symptoms sound very similar to mine. I am 25 years old and had to give up most physical activity for 2 ½ years after my diagnosis.

[steven]

The Rays have been a basement dwelling franchise since they entered the majors. Who are they gonna replace Baldelli with that can make a significant difference right now? Besides you can't just release players in the major leagues because contracts are gauranteed so the kid is gonna get paid regardless. If he retires the contract is then void but if he can get healthy and rehab he's young enough that he can make a difference on a big league club for the next decade. All in all its another bad break for what appears to be a talented athlete.

[al]

He has been seen in photos playing basketball in the off season in Rhode Island, playing touch football etc. Just cut the guy already.

[Joe]

Having lived in the area long enough, this eerily reminds me of the late Ricky Bell. Hopefully, this will have a much better result. Good luck, Rocco! Get well.

[steve]

They can release him before April 1st and then they are not obligated to pay him anything in 2009.

[steven]

Steve, it just seems like a big risk since he's on the payroll for 2008 already. He's only 26, if they are able to find out what is wrong with him and doctors can fix it then he ends up becoming a good pro in 2009 and the rays miss out. They don't have an immediate replacement that is going to improve the team. Look at Josh Hamilton everybody counted him out and he looked pretty productive last year at 27 with the Reds.

[steve]

I agree there is the slight risk that after 3 or 4 non-productive years he will be able to come back. But if I was his employer and he was one of my best paid employees and hasn't produced anything for me in the past 4 years, I would cut ties and take that risk.

[ryan callahan]

well, now i feel kind of bad for calling him rocco balDLi and for all of the times i ripped on him. i hope one day he can get better.

[ryan callahan]

well, now i feel kind of bad for calling him rocco balDLi and for all of the times i ripped on him. i hope one day he can get better.

[steven]

Just curious Steve, how much is he making over the next couple of years. I am pretty sure he inked a deal up and through 2011 but I'm not sure of the annual salary. I'm not even a Rays fan I just like having baseball arguments. My thinking is that the team isn't going to compete this year so they might as well see if he can come back strong in '09. Either way we can all agree it's a sad story because we've all seen he can play when he's healthy.

[The Glass Guinea]

don't worry, i can still rock out with the other guys ... I don't get too tired doing that

[Harry the Horse]

Rocco is one of the nicest young men I have ever met. We can only hope and pray for his health to improve so he can do what he wants to do the most and that is to play baseball. Give this kid a break. Some of your comments are mind boggling.

[Cali]

we do not live in a sympathetic world; rocco's world is even less sympathetic. i feel ya' roc', had FMS for a year or two before docs even knew what is was. family, friends, etc. don't believe you're ill unless you're in a wheelchair. you look fine, but your body feels terrible. i realize know that people don't understand, unless they go through it themselves.

[Jason]

I was thinking the same thing about Ricky Bell and what happened to him with this story about Rocco that Joe stated. Hopefully, what Rocco has isn't as serious as what Ricky Bell had and his doctors can do what they can to help Rocco lead a long and healthy life. It does help to explain why Rocco was having so many problems coming back fully.

While it does seem like this might be the time to cut bait with Rocco and his 2009 option, I hope the Rays can keep him around in some role.

[steve]

The Rays have to decide by April 1 on a $6-million option for 2009 or a $4-million buyout.

I am sure he is a great guy and has the potential to be a great player but at this point I would cut him.

[JB]

some clown on the Radio is now claiming he knew about his "sickness" but held back.. that is pathetic that some radio wannabe says, "hey look at me I know all"

[Tony]

Wow, sure am glad we got rid of Delmon Young...NOT!!!

The Rays SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sh*t can Josh Hamilton right when he is turning his life around and release the most talented young player in the game in Delmon Young. Makes a lot of sense. When their new stadium isn't built this nightmare of an organization will be some other area's head ache.

Good Riddance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Matt W.]

LOL at Little Dog trolling this page and calling people out, saying that they are hiding behind their computers like cowards. I don't agree with the harsh comments about Rocco but I find it HILARIOUS that Dumpig is calling someone out for hiding - this is the guy who makes a career out of dumping on Gruden from behind his mic yet wouldn't say crap to the man if they were face to face.

Just listen to his a**-kissing of Bruce Allen on the air and then hear what he says all the other times...it's pathetic. He dumped on the Dunn signing and made a crack about how giving away houses shouldn't get you a roster spot but I guarantee he'd be sniffing Warrick's haunches were he to come on the air.

[MD]

Rocco, how about giving back a couple years of your salary.

[Alex]

Reminds me of Ricky Bell

I wish the best for Baldelli, but now we know to stop counting on him year after year.

[Kris]

It seems that Rocco has Mitochondrial Disease (mito) (www.umdf.org). This is a very serious disease that is much more common that people realize. My daughter suffers from mito. It is amazing how much energy it saps from you. He is lucky, however, to have not had any symptoms until this point in his life. That is a positive for him. In my daughter's case, we are lucky still have her and she is only 6. Mito has many different forms and is linked to both Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's, as well as a few cancers. I am a huge baseball fan and I understand the business side, but folks need to understand that if Rocco truly has mito that it is a very serious disease and EXTREMELY hard to diagnose. Best wishes to him and his medical team to help him understand his energy loss and pain.

Kris.

[Mark]

Get rid of Rocco we are wasting our money on this guy. He is playing video games and getting huge $$$ to do it. This guy is a made of straw, lets get a real outfielder who wants to play everyday. I'm sure Rocco makes it to the ball park every day to get his freebies.

[Daniel]

Are you guys seriously gonna make funna him cuz of this? You guys should rot in he**.

[Doug Sheffield]

This is a real shame. I have a disease called Fibromyalgia but now much better due to treatment. Has he been mapped for this debilitating disease as it involves fatigue and muscle aches-weakness?
I hope it something can be done for such a fine young athlete.
God Bless,

[PrimeTime]

Now do we consider Bonds as a 1 year fill-in to rotate with Cliffie and Gomes at RF and DH?

[yogi berra]

I don't blame him. Of course he is going to do whatever he can to try and be successful. What I don't understand is that everyone in baseball but the Rays saw this kind of thing coming down the tracks for a few years now. Maybe not this weird, but you could just see he was not physically able to be a professional athlete. Hamstrings, back, etc. This is all on management.

[Rodger]

Rocco was done long ago. of course he wont retire when he is under contract, gettin payed to do nothing is almost as good as getting paid to play baseball.

[Lisa]

Wishing Rocco all the best. Prayers for a recovery.

I think it is sad to see people that must be completely miserable in their own lives coming out and trashing a person who is sick. Your lives must be very miserable to be such nasty human beings.

[interested]

No way I wanna bag on this guy like some other people on this string are doing. This was a guy who was hearalded and played like one of the next "Superstars" of the game. 99% of players who had that potential and present and future star power, would not just walk away from the game--for financial reasons, and fame--let alone love for the game. However, he is making a bit of money now, so of course there might be some suspicion that maybe it might be he fell out of love for the game, and it may not be fun for him anymore. Or maybe some psychological/mental/fear situation that obviously must be rare--that is preventing him from wanting to take the field. Until that is proved, I have to sympathise that this great athlete has a physical medical condition that that is a horrific issue for him and frustration for the team and fans.

[Thomas]

This seems like deja vu all over again as it might be a Mycoplasma infection which can cause the Mitochondrial Dysfunction...?
When I was in the Marine Corps back in Desert Storm, I was in the best shape in my life...6 foot 2, 210lbs and I received a perfect score on my PFT(physical fitness test.) I was exposed to something in the Gulf War(either the meds they gave us to help prevent nerve gas exposure, oil well exposure, as well as many other things possibly in combination) and not too long after this I started having the same identical problems plus symptoms such as: sleeping issues, joint always hurting, memory and cognitive problems and I HAVE NEVER BEEN THE SAME! I found out ONE of the problems affecting me was a mycoplasma infection, which is very difficult to address.
I send my prayers and best wishes to Rocky since I know the battle he may face, if his condition is similar. Another aspect they may want to pursue is Chemical Sensitivity Exposure...Just something to consider. GOD BLESS YOU and I hope they find out what the problem is. If they find out, please let me know!

[From Boston]

You Floridians are awesome! Half of you condemn him for being a slacker despite an obvious medical condition. The other half offer up your "hope and prayers", just more useless inactivity. Meanwhile the Sox are going to walk all over your Rays on the way to another World Championship.
Enjoy your ignorance.

[raysfan]

from boston -- why do you feel compelled to go onto a rays board and spew your trash? is it because you're getting scared? you saw what we did with the yankees and you couldn't even manage to beat us today. it's a new day in TB, whether your @$$ likes it or not. here's wishing manny takes a ball to the face and your best prospects break their knees. go rays!

[Amanda]

Good call, "From Boston"! How dare people offer him hopes and prayers! You're right, it's a totally useless inactivity. If we really wanted him to get better we would... um... what? What do you propose we do?
Seriously, you're going to make fun of people for wishing someone the best? Just... wow. You're stretching for insult slinging, there.
Nice name by the way, I love the way you talk trash and hide behind a name which only has the use of proving that you have no personal identity, and must simply resort to identifying yourself with a sports team that you're NOT ACTUALLY PART OF. Is your life really that sad and meaningless that your only joy in life is trash talking another baseball team on their message board, and revolving your entire self identity around a team? I guess if your team is a winner, and your life is a failure, clinging to that could make you feel better... Pathetic.
Rocco, we do wish you the best. Hope they can figure out exactly what's wrong and put you on a speedy road to recovery.

[Hawksmom]

I don't understand how people can be so cruel and mean. Rocco went to high school with my son. He has always been respected and honored by many as an outstanding athletic. Rocco graduated from high school with an above 4.0 average and could have gone to any colleg of is choice. Instead he followed his love for sports. It is amazing how cruel and judgemental people without even know this person. And how easy it is to kick someone when they are down.
This is a boy who's dad spent many many years coaching and teaching his son about baseball. Although Rocco played and excelled at other high school sports, baseball is his love. How can you condem such a person. A person that attended one of the greatest high school's in RI. Where Christanity and respect for one another were taught. Perhaps you loud mouths don't know about or understand those important values. Believe me Rocco does. I just hope those you people that are making unjust remarks about a person you don't even know never have to face "rough times"!..The world would be a much nicer place without you bashing fools.