Vladimir Guerrero on 15-day disabled list as Baltimore Orioles struggle – MLB News
The Baltimore Orioles placed Vladimir Guerrero on the 15-day disabled list Sunday after speculations were rife that the designated hitter might have to miss the games, as Boston Red Sox Kyle Weiland stuck a pitch to Guerrero’s hand on the July 10.
The broken bone in his right hand rendered him unable to the play against the Cleveland Indians which sparked the fears that the hitter had borne serious injury. The revelation was later made by the Orioles’ manager Buck Showalter.
On Friday, July 15, when Guerrero did not show up on the field, Showalter told media, “He went in the cage, thought he might be able to play today. That did not go well.”
The intensity of pain was apparently too much to play actively. "I just can't swing the bat," Guerrero told reporters through a translator Friday.
While out-fielder Matt Angle is named to replace Guerrero, it is open to debate if he might be an adequate substitute for him given Guerrero’s record.
Having remained 312 at bats in the 83 games that he has played, Guerrero has scored 28 runs with 87 hits to his credit, having scored seven home-runs and 31 RBIs – maintaining an average of .279 with .315 OBP.
Although he might have not been as impressive this season as his career records read, .318 average with 443 home-runs in 2085 games, Guerrero will no doubt be conspicuous in his absence in the next 15 days whereby he will be staying on the disabled list.
The Orioles have, at best, remained disappointing to the fans this time round with a performance which is not up to the mark. They were the team who started with 6-1 when the season kicked off and then they faltered.
Ever since, the Orioles have floundered, finding it increasingly difficult to keep pace with other teams, having lost 55 games, and won only 38.
In the American League Standings, the Orioles are at the bottom with 38 wins to their record compared to the Toronto Blue Jays that have 47 wins. Orioles apparently stand no chance to even equate themselves with the Blue Jays, let alone the Red Sox having
58 wins.
Angle will now replace the Orioles’ Guerrero who has an average of .266, having 29 RBIs to his credit. Angle will surely be carefully looked at because it will be his first Major League appearance at a crucial time for the team.
The Orioles will start a three-game series against the Red Sox from Monday, July 18. It will be of great interest to see how they embrace this daunting challenge given the impressive record of the Red Sox.
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