Baseball Guru
02-19-2002, 02:42 PM
By Joe Strauss
Of the Post-Dispatch
02/18/2002 03:58 PM
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Cardinals winced for the first time Monday when right fielder J.D. Drew sprained his left ankle shortly after taking the field for a voluntary workout.
Drew rolled the ankle and fell after stepping into a divot while shagging balls in the outfield. Following several unsuccessful attempts at picking himself up, Drew was helped from the field. He changed into street clothes and was taken to a nearby medical facility for X-rays, which proved negative.
La Russa refused to interpret Monday's incident as anything more than a freak thing. However, the misstep couldn't help but serve as a reminder to Drew's checkered health history.
He appeared in 109 games last season due to back, hand and ankle problems. A David Wells pitch broke his right pinky on June 17, costing him 35 games. Drew later missed 12 games with a lower back sprain. Drew put himself through a program to strengthen the left ankle this winter but hadn't even reached the batting cage before he suffered Monday's misadventure.
Drew said, ``''I spent three months getting this thing in shape and then in three minutes [I went down].''
Drew compiled a .323 average with 27 home runs and 73 RBI in 375 at-bats last season, prompting La Russa to muse that 26-year-old's numbers would be ``scary'' if he could compile 550 at-bats.
Drew's production has risen steadily in three major-league seasons but he has yet to receive more than 407 at-bats in any of them. He has landed on the disabled list each season.
The Cardinals hastened that Monday's injury will not interfere with his preparation. Head trainer Barry Weinberg noted some swelling had occurred in Drew's ankle but said it would be further evaluated today. Drew limped slightly after returning from being x-rayed.<
``''I thought I'd see him walking out of here on crutches, but he looks pretty good,'' said La Russa.
The club characterized Drew's availability as day-to-day. Drew estimated he would again be able to full participate within 3-7 days, a time frame that might allow him to play in the exhibition opener Feb. 28 against the New York Mets.
Position players are due to report to Roger Dean Stadium today with the first full squad workout set for Thursday. Placido Polanco, Kerry Robinson, Edgar Renteria and Miguel Cairo joined a cast of early arrivals that already included Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds and So Taguchi.
More Outfield for Marrero:
In recognition of his athleticism and uncommon speed, backup catcher Eli Marrero's role may expand to include more time in the outfield, La Russa said Monday. Marrero has played 15 games in the outfield in five major-league seasons but seems a natural fit to La Russa because of his speed and arm
strength.
``''I know the plan. You've got three games and you'll see Eli get three at-bats in at least two of the three,'' La Russa said. ``''Who knows? He might get three at-bats in the other game.''
La Russa's biggest challenge may be finding enough time for a crush of candidates for left field. Taguchi, Robinson plus non-roster invitees Al Martin and Eduardo Perez deserve looks while Polanco will also be exposed to the position. Marrero could be seen as often in center or right field as left. ``''It's going to be hard for me to justify not finishing games with Ed Perez, Al Martin, Kerry Robinson . . . out there,'' La Russa said.
Marrero, 28, continues to improve over the player who hit only .192 with a .297 slugging percentage in 317 at-bats in 1999. Last season he batted .266 with a .438 slugging percentage, six steals, three triples and 37 runs scored in 86 games.
``''Anything they want me to do -- catch, play first base, play the outfield, whatever -- is OK with me,'' Marrero said Monday. ``''I just want to get on the field and play.''
Lineup Ponderings:
Nearly six weeks remain before Opening Day but that doesn't mean it's too early for La Russa to contemplate a few lineup twists. Hinting at a more aggressive approach with the bottom of his batting order, La Russa on Monday suggested placing a base-stealing threat in the No. 8 hole in order to maximize his competent-hitting pitching staff.
La Russa used the No. 8 hole almost exclusively as a catching preserve last season. Mike Matheny occupied the slot 104 times and Marrero hit there 44 times. Five others served the role a combined 14 times.
``''I'd like to be able to hit legs in front of our pitchers,'' La Russa said. ``''If you have legs in front of guys who can swing the bat like our pitchers can, you just
don't sit there thinking, ``Here comes the bunt.' And here comes the bunt.''
Though lacking anyone with more than 17 steals last season, the Cardinals frequently put the game in motion. They ranked third in the National League last season in bunt attempts, sacrifice-bunt percentage and hit-and-run attempts. They led the league in hit-and-run success and had fewer runners caught stealing (35) than any National League team.
Possible candidates for the No. 8 spot include shortstop Edgar Renteria, Polanco and Robinson. La Russa said his catcher may most often be found in the No. 7 spot.
La Russa's pitchers batted .139 with three home runs and 24 RBI last season. No. 3 starter Woody Williams is one of the game's best-hitting pitchers with a career .213 average and 22 RBI in 221 at-bats. Williams batted .259 in 11 starts for the Cardinals last season. Andy Benes owns seven career home runs, tied with Colorado's Mike Hampton for most among active pitchers.
Bud Smith batted only .160 as a rookie but carried a reputation as a representative bat in the minor leagues. Rick Ankiel is imposing enough to have worked as a designated hitter when not pitching at Johnson City. Ankiel, a lefthanded bat, hit 10 home runs in Rookie League.
Navarro Signed:
Veteran pitcher Jaime Navarro will be seen in camp but not in the major-league clubhouse. The Cardinals signed Navarro to a minor-league contract last month. Navarro, 33, won at least 14 games four times with the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs but is 25-49 since 1997. He led the American League in losses (16) and wild pitches (18) in 1998. He signed a minor-league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays before last season but never reached the majors.
Of the Post-Dispatch
02/18/2002 03:58 PM
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Cardinals winced for the first time Monday when right fielder J.D. Drew sprained his left ankle shortly after taking the field for a voluntary workout.
Drew rolled the ankle and fell after stepping into a divot while shagging balls in the outfield. Following several unsuccessful attempts at picking himself up, Drew was helped from the field. He changed into street clothes and was taken to a nearby medical facility for X-rays, which proved negative.
La Russa refused to interpret Monday's incident as anything more than a freak thing. However, the misstep couldn't help but serve as a reminder to Drew's checkered health history.
He appeared in 109 games last season due to back, hand and ankle problems. A David Wells pitch broke his right pinky on June 17, costing him 35 games. Drew later missed 12 games with a lower back sprain. Drew put himself through a program to strengthen the left ankle this winter but hadn't even reached the batting cage before he suffered Monday's misadventure.
Drew said, ``''I spent three months getting this thing in shape and then in three minutes [I went down].''
Drew compiled a .323 average with 27 home runs and 73 RBI in 375 at-bats last season, prompting La Russa to muse that 26-year-old's numbers would be ``scary'' if he could compile 550 at-bats.
Drew's production has risen steadily in three major-league seasons but he has yet to receive more than 407 at-bats in any of them. He has landed on the disabled list each season.
The Cardinals hastened that Monday's injury will not interfere with his preparation. Head trainer Barry Weinberg noted some swelling had occurred in Drew's ankle but said it would be further evaluated today. Drew limped slightly after returning from being x-rayed.<
``''I thought I'd see him walking out of here on crutches, but he looks pretty good,'' said La Russa.
The club characterized Drew's availability as day-to-day. Drew estimated he would again be able to full participate within 3-7 days, a time frame that might allow him to play in the exhibition opener Feb. 28 against the New York Mets.
Position players are due to report to Roger Dean Stadium today with the first full squad workout set for Thursday. Placido Polanco, Kerry Robinson, Edgar Renteria and Miguel Cairo joined a cast of early arrivals that already included Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds and So Taguchi.
More Outfield for Marrero:
In recognition of his athleticism and uncommon speed, backup catcher Eli Marrero's role may expand to include more time in the outfield, La Russa said Monday. Marrero has played 15 games in the outfield in five major-league seasons but seems a natural fit to La Russa because of his speed and arm
strength.
``''I know the plan. You've got three games and you'll see Eli get three at-bats in at least two of the three,'' La Russa said. ``''Who knows? He might get three at-bats in the other game.''
La Russa's biggest challenge may be finding enough time for a crush of candidates for left field. Taguchi, Robinson plus non-roster invitees Al Martin and Eduardo Perez deserve looks while Polanco will also be exposed to the position. Marrero could be seen as often in center or right field as left. ``''It's going to be hard for me to justify not finishing games with Ed Perez, Al Martin, Kerry Robinson . . . out there,'' La Russa said.
Marrero, 28, continues to improve over the player who hit only .192 with a .297 slugging percentage in 317 at-bats in 1999. Last season he batted .266 with a .438 slugging percentage, six steals, three triples and 37 runs scored in 86 games.
``''Anything they want me to do -- catch, play first base, play the outfield, whatever -- is OK with me,'' Marrero said Monday. ``''I just want to get on the field and play.''
Lineup Ponderings:
Nearly six weeks remain before Opening Day but that doesn't mean it's too early for La Russa to contemplate a few lineup twists. Hinting at a more aggressive approach with the bottom of his batting order, La Russa on Monday suggested placing a base-stealing threat in the No. 8 hole in order to maximize his competent-hitting pitching staff.
La Russa used the No. 8 hole almost exclusively as a catching preserve last season. Mike Matheny occupied the slot 104 times and Marrero hit there 44 times. Five others served the role a combined 14 times.
``''I'd like to be able to hit legs in front of our pitchers,'' La Russa said. ``''If you have legs in front of guys who can swing the bat like our pitchers can, you just
don't sit there thinking, ``Here comes the bunt.' And here comes the bunt.''
Though lacking anyone with more than 17 steals last season, the Cardinals frequently put the game in motion. They ranked third in the National League last season in bunt attempts, sacrifice-bunt percentage and hit-and-run attempts. They led the league in hit-and-run success and had fewer runners caught stealing (35) than any National League team.
Possible candidates for the No. 8 spot include shortstop Edgar Renteria, Polanco and Robinson. La Russa said his catcher may most often be found in the No. 7 spot.
La Russa's pitchers batted .139 with three home runs and 24 RBI last season. No. 3 starter Woody Williams is one of the game's best-hitting pitchers with a career .213 average and 22 RBI in 221 at-bats. Williams batted .259 in 11 starts for the Cardinals last season. Andy Benes owns seven career home runs, tied with Colorado's Mike Hampton for most among active pitchers.
Bud Smith batted only .160 as a rookie but carried a reputation as a representative bat in the minor leagues. Rick Ankiel is imposing enough to have worked as a designated hitter when not pitching at Johnson City. Ankiel, a lefthanded bat, hit 10 home runs in Rookie League.
Navarro Signed:
Veteran pitcher Jaime Navarro will be seen in camp but not in the major-league clubhouse. The Cardinals signed Navarro to a minor-league contract last month. Navarro, 33, won at least 14 games four times with the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs but is 25-49 since 1997. He led the American League in losses (16) and wild pitches (18) in 1998. He signed a minor-league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays before last season but never reached the majors.