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July 22, 2007
Designated hitter David Ortiz will miss his second straight game today because of a strained left shoulder, and he said it's possible he won't be able to return to the lineup until Wednesday night, the final game of a three-game series in Cleveland.
Ortiz suffered the injury during Friday night's game on a head-first slide into second base. Ortiz underwent an MRI yesterday. The test showed there was no structural damage.
"It's better than it was, but it's a little sore today," said Ortiz this morning. "The MRI showed some fluid in there, but no fracture. It might take a couple more days to be better than what it is. Maybe by the third game in Cleveland (it will be healthy enough to allow him to play). We'll see how it goes."
Ortiz said he has been working with the Sox' trainers to regain his flexibility, and has already made strides in that regard, he said. He's able to bend his left elbow in a hitting position and almost bring it up to his shoulder height, which is an improvement over yesterday.
Ortiz's injury is nowhere near as serious as the right shoulder injury he suffered on a similar type of slide during the 2004 season. He still was able to play through that discomfort, and this time it's his back shoulder as he hits, and not his more important lead and follow-through shoulder, which generates the power.
-- Steven Krasner
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 11:59 AM | Permalink
