GaryMrMets
05-29-2004, 07:57 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s052904d.htm
Thome hopes cortisone shot will end the pain
Saturday, May 29, 2004
By MARTIN FRANK
Gannett News Service
PHILADELPHIA
The five games off didn't help Jim Thome's painful right index finger, so he took a cortisone shot Friday, hoping that will finally alleviate the nagging pain he's been feeling for the past few weeks.
Thome, who sat out the Phillies' game Friday against the Atlanta Braves, took a similar shot for his thumb April 30, which he said took care of the pain.
He said he plans to play today.
"I promise you, this will be the last (shot)," he said. "It's still nagging me, so the best thing is the same approach with the thumb. I just want to get this over with, and get this thing healed."
But even Thome admitted that his finger, which is swollen, might bother him all season. It started bothering him because he compensated for the right middle finger he broke in spring training by holding the bat differently.
Eventually, that led to a ligament sprain, which became more and more painful. It was much like his left thumb, which he originally injured April 12 while diving for a ground ball.
After dealing with the nagging pain, he decided to get a cortisone shot.
Thome said he can handle the nagging pain, and that he could have continued to play through it. In fact, he didn't aggravate the injury. It's just that it's still annoying him and he decided to see if the shot would have the same effect as it did on his thumb.
Thome missed five games because of his index finger last week. He didn't have a shot then because he figured rest would take care of the problem. It didn't.
"It's been nagging me in the sense that I can't really let loose on a swing," he said. "I've played with nagging injuries before. Hopefully, this will be it."
Tomas Perez started for him Friday.
Millwood's mechanics: Phillies manager Larry Bowa said Kevin Millwood discovered a flaw in his delivery while watching videotape Friday afternoon.
Millwood noticed that he was coming across his body too much, which Bowa said affected his control. The numbers seem to back that up. Millwood walked six batters in four innings and gave up six earned runs in the Phillies' 6-1 loss to the Braves Thursday.
Millwood has walked 13 batters in his last 15 innings and hasn't lasted past the fifth in his last two starts.
"The last three starts, it's been pretty noticeable," Bowa said. "Last year, even when he wasn't pitching well, he wasn't walking guys."
Also: Bowa said his daughter, Victoria, who was in a car accident on the way to the ballpark Thursday, has a concussion and a cracked rib. She was resting at home Friday.
"After you see the car, it's unbelievable that she wasn't hurt worse." . . . Billy Wagner threw Friday from flat ground as part of his rehab from a strained groin . . . Bowa said Vicente Padilla, the Phils' starter today, will be monitored closely after he complained about soreness in his muscle just above the elbow.
Thome hopes cortisone shot will end the pain
Saturday, May 29, 2004
By MARTIN FRANK
Gannett News Service
PHILADELPHIA
The five games off didn't help Jim Thome's painful right index finger, so he took a cortisone shot Friday, hoping that will finally alleviate the nagging pain he's been feeling for the past few weeks.
Thome, who sat out the Phillies' game Friday against the Atlanta Braves, took a similar shot for his thumb April 30, which he said took care of the pain.
He said he plans to play today.
"I promise you, this will be the last (shot)," he said. "It's still nagging me, so the best thing is the same approach with the thumb. I just want to get this over with, and get this thing healed."
But even Thome admitted that his finger, which is swollen, might bother him all season. It started bothering him because he compensated for the right middle finger he broke in spring training by holding the bat differently.
Eventually, that led to a ligament sprain, which became more and more painful. It was much like his left thumb, which he originally injured April 12 while diving for a ground ball.
After dealing with the nagging pain, he decided to get a cortisone shot.
Thome said he can handle the nagging pain, and that he could have continued to play through it. In fact, he didn't aggravate the injury. It's just that it's still annoying him and he decided to see if the shot would have the same effect as it did on his thumb.
Thome missed five games because of his index finger last week. He didn't have a shot then because he figured rest would take care of the problem. It didn't.
"It's been nagging me in the sense that I can't really let loose on a swing," he said. "I've played with nagging injuries before. Hopefully, this will be it."
Tomas Perez started for him Friday.
Millwood's mechanics: Phillies manager Larry Bowa said Kevin Millwood discovered a flaw in his delivery while watching videotape Friday afternoon.
Millwood noticed that he was coming across his body too much, which Bowa said affected his control. The numbers seem to back that up. Millwood walked six batters in four innings and gave up six earned runs in the Phillies' 6-1 loss to the Braves Thursday.
Millwood has walked 13 batters in his last 15 innings and hasn't lasted past the fifth in his last two starts.
"The last three starts, it's been pretty noticeable," Bowa said. "Last year, even when he wasn't pitching well, he wasn't walking guys."
Also: Bowa said his daughter, Victoria, who was in a car accident on the way to the ballpark Thursday, has a concussion and a cracked rib. She was resting at home Friday.
"After you see the car, it's unbelievable that she wasn't hurt worse." . . . Billy Wagner threw Friday from flat ground as part of his rehab from a strained groin . . . Bowa said Vicente Padilla, the Phils' starter today, will be monitored closely after he complained about soreness in his muscle just above the elbow.