DBacks delay Byrnes' Return

[unnameddbacksfan]

Thank you God!


D-backs delay Byrnes' return
Eligible to come off DL, outfielder still not running at full speed
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

An MRI exam taken a couple of weeks ago showed small tears in both of Eric Byrnes' hamstrings. (AP)


NEW YORK -- Eric Byrnes is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, but don't count on seeing the D-backs outfielder in the lineup, at least for the next few days.

"He will not come off here, much to his chagrin," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said, referring to his team's stay in New York that runs through Thursday.

And it sounds like it could be even longer than that.

The D-backs plan on having Byrnes hit off live pitching when they return home, maybe bringing up one of the team's young Draft picks who might be in Arizona for a mini-camp.

Byrnes has tears in both his hamstrings. He initially injured one of his hamstrings just prior to the start of Spring Training and injured the other while compensating for it. An MRI exam taken a couple of weeks ago showed small tears in both.

"I want him to be able to run full speed and not have to hold anything back," Melvin said about what Byrnes needs to do in order to be activated. "That's a big tool in his game, whether it's psychologically or fundamentally. A lot of his game comes from being able to run and put pressure on a defense, like he does in the outfield. He's got to be able to go out. I'm not saying he has to be a certain time down the line, but he's got to be able to run and not hold back."

The stint on the DL has been hard on the hyperactive Byrnes, who is not used to sitting around.

"I know we're making a lot of progress," Byrnes said. "Today is probably the best I've felt. I didn't run full out, but as close as I have to it. I think I'm close, but it's not my call."

[baseball101]

I know he was playing pretty crappy, but isn't he the heart and soul of that team? With the skid the D'backs have hit since their hot start I'd think they would want him back to maybe help them get going again.

[unnameddbacksfan]

Oh boy, this topic is such a land mine among DBack fans.
Byrnes is the ultimate blue collar player. His hustle and drive was a lot of fun to watch UNTIL he was signed for that $30 million dollar extension by Jeff Moorad. one of the general partners. There is no way Byrnes is worth that kind of money and by signing him to a three year deal, we slammed the door on Carlos Quentin. Carlos never got a fair shot with us due to being injured most of the time he was playing with us.
Byrnes began a slump from the second half of last season that carried into this season. Yes, he did start off on a hot streak. Yes, he was playing injured this season. The thing that bothered me the most with Byrnes was he fought tooth and nail going on the DL, even knowing how he was hurting the team. He wanted to deal with his own doctor instead of the team doctor. When he finally had an MRI done and it showed the rips in his hamstrings, he says that's what he kinda expected but was afraid to confirm. I don't think someone who was the heart and soul of this team would put himself first and above the welfare of the team.
Byrnes just is not that good of a player as some of the fans out here think. He is horrid at the plate against Righties: July 31 is the date I choose to signal his decline AFTER signing the extension

Since July 31, 2007 vs. RHP: .227/.303/.367 .670 OPS in 264 AB"s
Career vs. RHP: .252/.315/.417 .732 OPS in over 2000 PA's

Vs. LHP:
2008 : .271/.348/.508 .856 OPS 59 AB's
since July 31 2007: .232/.291/.347 .638 OPS 95 AB's
Career: .290/.353/.514 .867 OPS 991 PA's

When he comes off the DL, I think he needs to be platooned in LF with Chad Tracy. Chad takes the field against RHP and EB against LHP.

[unnameddbacksfan]

oy vey! Not good news, imo. Jackson has been doing a pretty good job in Left while Chad is at first. I can live with that.
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The dirt on the back of Eric Byrnes' pants said it all.

He said he is getting close to being activated from the disabled list and returning to his accustomed spot in left field.

When that happens is still a matter of discussion between General Manager Josh Byrnes and manager Bob Melvin.


Eric Byrnes went through a full range of activity before Friday night's game against Kansas City at Chase Field to test his mending hamstrings.

"I squared some up, even hit a couple of home runs. I did agility drills, ran the bases . . . I even slid into third base. I don't think they expected that," he said, pointing to the dirt from the slide as a badge of honor.

On the disabled list since May 26, is he ready to return?

"Just about ready," he said. "I want to be out there, but I want to be on board with what they (management) want."

Jackson back in left

Melvin liked what he saw from Conor Jackson in left field Wednesday at Shea Stadium, so he penciled him in Friday.

"He showed he could do it," Melvin said. "It was a tough place to play out there. It's not like you're not getting some feedback from fans out there in New York. So if there was ever a dicey place to have to play a different position for the first time, he got the full brunt of it. And he did well."