Post by bstros on Apr 17, 2007 12:39:48 GMT -5
Pitcher Jennings gets cortisone shot
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Astros righthander Jason Jennings, on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow's flexor tendon, received a cortisone shot in the elbow Monday.
"The results were pretty positive," he said. "As bad as it sounds, it's normal pitcher's wear and tear. There's just inflammation in there that I got a cortisone shot to take care of that. I'll just rest for a couple of weeks and try to get going again."
Jennings is optimistic because he has dealt with the same discomfort since last June and because the MRI he underwent Saturday revealed no ligament damage.
"I was a little nervous just because all the tendons and everything in there are so close together," he said. "You can't tell with the naked eye without getting an actual test done, an actual MRI. Needless to say, when I found out the results I was happy. It was a real good sign, real good news. ... That's what I expected it to be, my flexor tendon."
Defending Lidge
Manager Phil Garner doesn't subscribe to the theory that a key to straightening out Brad Lidge would be to make the former closer a starter.
"I don't think it's a good idea," Garner said. "I think the reason Brad went into the closing role is because he had a lot of arm injuries. There is some logic if a player is just really, really broken to start him to give him a lift. But Lidge is not. It's not necessary."
Garner is adamant that Lidge's problems stem from bad karma and the media scrutiny from having given up Albert Pujols' game-winning home run in Game 5 of the 2005 National League Championship Series.
"He's conscientious," Garner said of Lidge. "As I had said earlier, I think it's time for him to say to a few of you folks, 'I've talked about this enough. I have work to do.' You got to follow a story, but you can't keep answering the thing from Pujols. And most of this stems from that moment and what's carried on."
Rotation news
Righthander Chris Sampson, who was limited to five scoreless innings by a tender left calf while beating the Cubs last Tuesday, threw a bullpen session Monday.
"I'm all right," he said. "It went well. My leg was fine."
He will start Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds.
Coming up
RHP Roy Oswalt (2-0, 3.32 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season on Tuesday. RHP Sergio Mitre (0-2, 4.09 ERA) will start for the Marlins.
Oswalt, who threw 120 pitches Friday on an extra day of rest, sought the assignment.
"With your ace, you would accommodate your ace," manager Phil Garner said. "But he didn't demand to do this. This is an agreed-upon situation."
Oswalt was 1-0 with a 0.63 ERA over two starts last year against Florida, allowing only one earned run over 14 1/3 innings. He is 3-2 with a 1.98 ERA in his career over seven starts against the Marlins.
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Astros righthander Jason Jennings, on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow's flexor tendon, received a cortisone shot in the elbow Monday.
"The results were pretty positive," he said. "As bad as it sounds, it's normal pitcher's wear and tear. There's just inflammation in there that I got a cortisone shot to take care of that. I'll just rest for a couple of weeks and try to get going again."
Jennings is optimistic because he has dealt with the same discomfort since last June and because the MRI he underwent Saturday revealed no ligament damage.
"I was a little nervous just because all the tendons and everything in there are so close together," he said. "You can't tell with the naked eye without getting an actual test done, an actual MRI. Needless to say, when I found out the results I was happy. It was a real good sign, real good news. ... That's what I expected it to be, my flexor tendon."
Defending Lidge
Manager Phil Garner doesn't subscribe to the theory that a key to straightening out Brad Lidge would be to make the former closer a starter.
"I don't think it's a good idea," Garner said. "I think the reason Brad went into the closing role is because he had a lot of arm injuries. There is some logic if a player is just really, really broken to start him to give him a lift. But Lidge is not. It's not necessary."
Garner is adamant that Lidge's problems stem from bad karma and the media scrutiny from having given up Albert Pujols' game-winning home run in Game 5 of the 2005 National League Championship Series.
"He's conscientious," Garner said of Lidge. "As I had said earlier, I think it's time for him to say to a few of you folks, 'I've talked about this enough. I have work to do.' You got to follow a story, but you can't keep answering the thing from Pujols. And most of this stems from that moment and what's carried on."
Rotation news
Righthander Chris Sampson, who was limited to five scoreless innings by a tender left calf while beating the Cubs last Tuesday, threw a bullpen session Monday.
"I'm all right," he said. "It went well. My leg was fine."
He will start Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds.
Coming up
RHP Roy Oswalt (2-0, 3.32 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season on Tuesday. RHP Sergio Mitre (0-2, 4.09 ERA) will start for the Marlins.
Oswalt, who threw 120 pitches Friday on an extra day of rest, sought the assignment.
"With your ace, you would accommodate your ace," manager Phil Garner said. "But he didn't demand to do this. This is an agreed-upon situation."
Oswalt was 1-0 with a 0.63 ERA over two starts last year against Florida, allowing only one earned run over 14 1/3 innings. He is 3-2 with a 1.98 ERA in his career over seven starts against the Marlins.
