NewsLohse scratched from Friday start
Right-hander experiencing 'burning' sensation in forearm
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
05/27/09 5:56 PM ET
MILWAUKEE -- Cardinals manager Tony La Russa confirmed on Wednesday that Kyle Lohse will not make his scheduled start on Friday night against the Giants in San Francisco.Lohse still has a welt on his right forearm, a result of his being hit by a pitch in his last start, Saturday at home against Kansas City. He said he feels a sensation like a "burning cramp" in his arm when he throws, and he cut short a bullpen session on Tuesday because of the discomfort.
Joel Pineiro is expected to take the ball on Friday night. Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright would follow him in the weekend series at AT&T Park.
All three hurlers would be pitching on their normal fifth day of rest following St. Louis' off-day Thursday. La Russa had hoped to give all of the Cardinals' starters an extra day off, but instead will use that day to protect Lohse.
"I would say by a little bit we'll probably use the off-day and take advantage that the other guys can pitch on [four days' rest], and give Lohse his time," La Russa said. "So we would pitch Pineiro, Carpenter and Wainwright on their regular day. We're not going to pitch Lohse, that's for sure.
"That's why we'll probably wait till tomorrow and see how Wainwright comes on his second day, but the first two guys say they're ready to go on their day. So that's probably the play we're going to make, but it can be changed and we can use [Brad] Thompson."
As of Wednesday morning, some chance still existed that Lohse might start the series opener. But it's clear that Lohse is not yet ready to be slotted in for that rotation turn, especially following his bullpen session on Tuesday.
"It seemed like a waste of time, and I didn't want to make it worse," Lohse said of the aborted 'pen session. "I got about half of my stuff done, and I was just like, 'You know what? I don't want to keep irritating it, so let's let it rest and see how it feels today.'"
Lohse has pitched well this season but has dealt with a constant string of maladies. He's wrenched his knee, been hit on the left elbow with a pitch, dealt with back soreness, had a stomach illness and now it's the forearm soreness.
"It's like a burning cramp, and then it goes away," he said. "Then I throw again, burn, and it goes away. Right as I'm releasing the ball. And that's the most important time to feel what you're trying to do."
Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
