rockin500
03-19-2003, 11:54 AM
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs closer Antonio Alfonseca strained his right hamstring when he slipped on the infield grass Tuesday and his status for Opening Day was in doubt.
Alfonseca slipped on the wet infield grass while fielding Randy Winn's ground ball in the fourth inning of the Cubs 10-8 win over the Seattle Mariners. He had to be lifted onto a cart and driven off the field. However, Alfonseca was able to walk under his own power to a van to be driven to the Cubs park.
"He's our closer," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "Hopefully, it's not too serious."
The right-hander will have a MRI test Wednesday and the results were expected Thursday. Team physician Michael Schafer was to examine the tests.
Alfonseca, 30, had pitched only two innings in two games this spring before Tuesday because he has been sidelined with a viral infection.
The right-hander reported to camp about 25 pounds lighter and was looking to rebound from last year's disappointing season. Alfonseca was successful on just 19 of 28 save opportunities last year, his first with the Cubs.
If Alfonseca isn't ready for the season, which begins in less than two weeks, Baker could resort to a closer by committee format and use Mike Remlinger, Mark Guthrie or Kyle Farnsworth. Another name in the mix is Rod Beck, a non-roster invitee who is trying to make a comeback following elbow surgery.
"I've done the job before," said Beck, who has 266 career saves. "If (Baker) came to me and said, 'You made the team, and you're the closer,' I'd be running around the bases."
However, that's not how the 34-year-old right-hander wants to make the team.
"Hopefully, (Alfonseca) is not hurt," Beck said
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/chc/news/chc_news.jsp?ymd=20030318&content_id=223914&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp
Alfonseca slipped on the wet infield grass while fielding Randy Winn's ground ball in the fourth inning of the Cubs 10-8 win over the Seattle Mariners. He had to be lifted onto a cart and driven off the field. However, Alfonseca was able to walk under his own power to a van to be driven to the Cubs park.
"He's our closer," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "Hopefully, it's not too serious."
The right-hander will have a MRI test Wednesday and the results were expected Thursday. Team physician Michael Schafer was to examine the tests.
Alfonseca, 30, had pitched only two innings in two games this spring before Tuesday because he has been sidelined with a viral infection.
The right-hander reported to camp about 25 pounds lighter and was looking to rebound from last year's disappointing season. Alfonseca was successful on just 19 of 28 save opportunities last year, his first with the Cubs.
If Alfonseca isn't ready for the season, which begins in less than two weeks, Baker could resort to a closer by committee format and use Mike Remlinger, Mark Guthrie or Kyle Farnsworth. Another name in the mix is Rod Beck, a non-roster invitee who is trying to make a comeback following elbow surgery.
"I've done the job before," said Beck, who has 266 career saves. "If (Baker) came to me and said, 'You made the team, and you're the closer,' I'd be running around the bases."
However, that's not how the 34-year-old right-hander wants to make the team.
"Hopefully, (Alfonseca) is not hurt," Beck said
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/chc/news/chc_news.jsp?ymd=20030318&content_id=223914&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp