NewsHamstring strain sidelines Counsell
Brewers infielder originally injured Thursday on double play
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com
06/28/09 2:15 PM ET
MILWAUKEE -- Craig Counsell was examined by the Brewers' head physician Saturday, then was held out of Sunday's lineup because of a minor left hamstring strain. Counsell was hurt while turning a double play Thursday, when his knee buckled in a collision with Minnesota's Denard Span. He played the rest of that game, then played all nine innings Friday night and went 2-for-4 including a triple. But when Counsell reached on a pinch-hit Saturday night and was replaced by pinch-runner Jason Kendall, it became clear that something was up. "It's the 'residue' of the collision, the doctor believes," Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said. "Neither the doctor nor the trainers are overly concerned about it. It's a day-to-day thing." William Raasch, Milwaukee's team physician, examined Counsell on Saturday and suggested he take a few days off. Counsell should be back in the lineup Monday, when the Brewers host right-hander Fernando Nieve and the Mets in the opener of a three-game series. Counsell is hitting .303 with a .371 on-base percentage this season and has held up remarkably well considering he has been playing with torn cartilage in his right knee. In the waning days of Spring Training, Counsell considered undergoing surgery to fix that problem, but opted instead to play with pain. "At one point I thought it was going that way, but it all kind of happened within 36 hours," Ash said. "There's certainly something there, but he has been able to keep it under control. Obviously, it doesn't impact him that much. "... It's a tribute to how hard he works and keeps himself ready to play, and [it shows] a willingness to play." The tear will not heal itself, Ash said. But with regular treatment, Counsell and the Brewers' medical staff have prevented it from getting worse. With Counsell sidelined Sunday, a right-hander on the mound for San Francisco and Casey McGehee hitting himself into a run-producing role, manager Ken Macha installed rookie third baseman Mat Gamel in the leadoff hole, which has become a revolving door since second baseman Rickie Weeks suffered a season-ending wrist injury. Gamel became the seventh different player to bat in that spot this season. McGehee is one of the seven, but he batted fifth Sunday.Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
