Tigers#1
06-12-2002, 03:45 PM
CHARLESTON S.C. -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays left-hander Nick Bierbrodt was upgraded to good condition Tuesday and moved out of intensive care at the Medical University of South Carolina four days after being shot in his right arm and chest.
''He's improved significantly the last 24 hours,'' Dr. David Cole said. ''It seems like everything is moving rapidly in the right direction. He's in good spirits.''
Bierbrodt was sitting in a taxi around 3 a.m. last Friday waiting in a drive-through line at a fast food restaurant in Charleston, where he was pitching for Tampa Bay's Class-A team. According to a police report, a man rode up beside the taxi on a bicycle and witnesses said there was an argument between Bierbrodt and the man, who then fired shots and rode off.
Cole said it is possible Bierbrodt could be released from the hospital by the weekend.
''I promise that I will be up, around and back on the hill soon,'' Bierbrodt said in a statement Tuesday.
Bierbrodt pitched three times in extended spring training and once for Charleston as he attempts to overcome control problems. He was replaced by Ryan Rupe in the Devil Rays' rotation during spring training.
Cole said it would be reasonable that Bierbrodt could be ready for spring training next year.
''He's improved significantly the last 24 hours,'' Dr. David Cole said. ''It seems like everything is moving rapidly in the right direction. He's in good spirits.''
Bierbrodt was sitting in a taxi around 3 a.m. last Friday waiting in a drive-through line at a fast food restaurant in Charleston, where he was pitching for Tampa Bay's Class-A team. According to a police report, a man rode up beside the taxi on a bicycle and witnesses said there was an argument between Bierbrodt and the man, who then fired shots and rode off.
Cole said it is possible Bierbrodt could be released from the hospital by the weekend.
''I promise that I will be up, around and back on the hill soon,'' Bierbrodt said in a statement Tuesday.
Bierbrodt pitched three times in extended spring training and once for Charleston as he attempts to overcome control problems. He was replaced by Ryan Rupe in the Devil Rays' rotation during spring training.
Cole said it would be reasonable that Bierbrodt could be ready for spring training next year.