Seattle Mariners’ Franklin Gutierrez plagued by injury – MLB News
The Seattle Mariners came up with news on Wednesday, February 29, that will trigger worry for the fans. Franklin Gutierrez, the team’s centre-fielder, will remain away from the game for four weeks after he had a partial tear of the pectoral muscle in his
right chest.
The news which was made public on Wednesday comes at a time when the Mariners are currently in Spring Training. Gutierrez, it is pertinent to mention, could not appear in all the games during the past season owing to health issues.
Similarly, from the nature of the injury, it seems that he will not be able to play the first few games of the season. The player who has already lost 20 pounds of weight due to digestive issues now encounters a new problem that will leave a huge bearing
on his career ahead.
Gutierrez’s injury came to surface after it was reported on Tuesday while he was having a practice session at Peoria Sports Complex.
Seattle Mariners’ manager Eric Wedge had his views to share on the matter. He avoided speculating on when the player will be able to return after this injury since it is not something very common in baseball players.
"We haven't gone down that road yet," he said. "Obviously we will right away as soon as we get a solid diagnosis, but we haven't even allowed ourselves to go there yet."
The player who has won the Gold Glove for in 2010 will be a huge loss if he fails to return early. Nonetheless, the team manager says there are options available to the team now compared to the past year.
"We have Figgins slotted to play some outfield anyway," Wedge said. "Obviously depending on what happens with 'Gut,' we'll have to alter our plans a little bit. But versus a year ago, we've got options. We've got three or four guys we feel can play out there."
Making his debut in 2005, Franklin Gutierrez has a career average of .256 in 681 games with 238 RBIs to his credit, having had 579 hits so far in 2262 at-bats.
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