Los Angeles Dodgers’ short-stop Rafael Furcal likely to be side-lined for four weeks – MLB Update
The National League western franchise Los Angeles Dodgers’ short-stop and lead-off hitter Rafael Furcal has received an injury in the club’s 6-1 winning game over the San Francisco Giants on Monday.
Rafael attempted a dive to steal third base but injured his left thumb after smashing it to the plate. The injury can land him on the disabled list in the next game, but the details will be confirmed on Tuesday when Rafael will visit a hand specialist. However,
such kind of injuries often requires three to four weeks for complete recovery, according to an expert.
In the fifth inning, Rafael got to first base with a walk and stole second base on a line drive single by Jamey Carroll. The Giants’ starter Madison Bumgarner, who was expensive for his spell, tossed a strike-out pitch to the left-hand slugger Carroll. Bumgarner
thought he could make third base, stretched his legs and eventually made it, although the replay showed him out.
Furcal made it clear that his thumb was broken and needed to evaluate it. He has just made a return in the line-up after spending two games on the disabled list due to a sore left wrist. Furcal received the injury when he slid hands-first into the knee of
the third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who was trying to block the bag.
Rafael immediately became down-hearted of his thumb and said. "It's broken. I got to see the doctor tomorrow in Los Angeles. It's bad. Two days off and come back and break my finger. I think about retiring if I'm not healthy. I feel so good with my back,
now this -- what do you think I am thinking?”
The short-stop has received quite a few injuries in his career including back surgery, hamstring, badly sprained ankle, and a sore wrist. Despite having a wide number of injuries, the 33-year-old Dominican, has .286 batting averages in his eleven year career.
However, the switch hitter was having a bad start to the season this year, making just four runs and one steal with just a .192 earned run average.
Though it has not been confirmed, there are speculations that Carroll will be awarded the short-stop position in the absence of Furcal. Looking at Carroll’s record at this position, this move can be very sensible. However, there is another prospect, veteran
Juan Castro, who can substitute for Furcal.
Though Rafael could not complete his outing, Los Angeles gained a splendid victory over the defending World Series champions in the first of the three game series.
Tags: