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New Braves |
Thanks to Fastball for this one!!
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Atlanta closer Kerry Ligtenberg has a partial tear of
the medial collateral ligament in his elbow and cannot
throw for at least four weeks, team officials said Friday.
An MRI was performed on Thursday and team physician Dr. Joe Chandler said a ``best-case scenario'' was Ligtenberg throwing off a mound in four to six weeks. His worst-case scenario was a season-ending surgery.
Ligtenberg, a right-hander, will be re-examined in three to four weeks, Chandler said. The Braves open their season on April 5.
Last season was Ligtenberg's breakthrough, as he took over the closer's role after former closer Mark Wohlers experienced control problems and was sent to the minors.
The former independent league player who was once traded for a bag of baseballs had 30 saves last season in 34 chances.
``It is a substantial blow to our bullpen,'' said Braves general manager John Schuerholz, who told his scouts to be on the lookout for potential replacements. ``But a lot of people in our organization have always thought John Rocker could fill that role.''
Rocker has appeared in two innings this spring and has not allowed a run. He was 1-3 in 47 games last year for Atlanta, with a 2.13 ERA in 38 innings.
Ligtenberg had appeared in two games this spring,
giving up five runs in his first save situation during Wednesday's 10-7
loss to Houston. He said he felt pain against the first batter, and it
never got
better.
``I felt some stiffness and was real sore right after
the inning and the next day,'' Ligtenberg said. ``I was hoping it wasn't
as bad as it was.
``I can't pinpoint exactly when it happened or if it
was one pitch ... It was right after the inning that I noticed my whole
forearm was in a knot.''
Ligtenberg said he will remain optimistic until he is
re-examined, and will run and lift weights with his legs during the
downtime.
``The uncertainty of whether it's going to heal or not
is what's bothering me,'' Ligtenberg said. ``I don't like the fact that
I'm going to be resting and trying to make it better when there's no way
we can really tell if it gets better until I go out on the mound
again.''
Email: javydaman@juno.com
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