Luvofthegame
09-04-2006, 02:09 PM
By Tom Krasovic
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 3, 2006
The injured left middle finger of Padres shortstop Khalil Greene is a mystery wrapped in an enigma – one that now is raising concerns about Greene's chances of batting again this season.
A third hand specialist will examine the finger today, said trainer Todd Hutcheson, and it appears Greene also will have an MRI exam within a few days.
Hutcheson said all medical personnel are in agreement that Greene has a torn ligament. Hutcheson said the ligament could be about 50 percent torn.
Greene's flexor tendon, thought to be undamaged, could require further testing. In certain tests, Greene reports no pain, but the rotational stress of swinging a bat causes pain.
Greene tore the ligament Aug. 3 when he was jammed by an inside pitch. Hutcheson said the ligament takes 6-8 weeks to heal – but it's unknown whether the four games Greene played from Aug. 14-17 pushed back that timetable. The symptoms worsened the more he played.
Hutcheson said surgery doesn't appear to be part of the solution. “He needs time for the ligament to heal,” he said.
Sept. 14 is when Greene will be six weeks removed from the injury. The player was examined by a doctor in Houston on Aug. 11 and by a hand surgeon in Phoenix on Aug. 30, when he also received a cortisone injection.
Hutcheson described Greene as unlucky. He said the shortstop keeps himself in excellent condition.
Shortstop picture
Shortstop Manny Alexander, 35, has made four starts since his promotion from Triple-A. Geoff Blum made his 20th start at shortstop last night. Looking to fill in for Greene the last two years, the Padres traded for veteran shortstops late in each season: Alexander on Aug. 31, 2005, and Alex Gonzalez on Sept. 17, 2004.
Will the Padres trade for another shortstop? “I don't see anything like that happening,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “I think there's still some hope that Khalil will be back.”
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 3, 2006
The injured left middle finger of Padres shortstop Khalil Greene is a mystery wrapped in an enigma – one that now is raising concerns about Greene's chances of batting again this season.
A third hand specialist will examine the finger today, said trainer Todd Hutcheson, and it appears Greene also will have an MRI exam within a few days.
Hutcheson said all medical personnel are in agreement that Greene has a torn ligament. Hutcheson said the ligament could be about 50 percent torn.
Greene's flexor tendon, thought to be undamaged, could require further testing. In certain tests, Greene reports no pain, but the rotational stress of swinging a bat causes pain.
Greene tore the ligament Aug. 3 when he was jammed by an inside pitch. Hutcheson said the ligament takes 6-8 weeks to heal – but it's unknown whether the four games Greene played from Aug. 14-17 pushed back that timetable. The symptoms worsened the more he played.
Hutcheson said surgery doesn't appear to be part of the solution. “He needs time for the ligament to heal,” he said.
Sept. 14 is when Greene will be six weeks removed from the injury. The player was examined by a doctor in Houston on Aug. 11 and by a hand surgeon in Phoenix on Aug. 30, when he also received a cortisone injection.
Hutcheson described Greene as unlucky. He said the shortstop keeps himself in excellent condition.
Shortstop picture
Shortstop Manny Alexander, 35, has made four starts since his promotion from Triple-A. Geoff Blum made his 20th start at shortstop last night. Looking to fill in for Greene the last two years, the Padres traded for veteran shortstops late in each season: Alexander on Aug. 31, 2005, and Alex Gonzalez on Sept. 17, 2004.
Will the Padres trade for another shortstop? “I don't see anything like that happening,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “I think there's still some hope that Khalil will be back.”