Jeremi Gonzalez tears tricep muscle, Switzer to get first start
Neil McCaulley, Devil Rays columnist
Jeremi Gonzalez, SP Tampa Bay Devil Rays
John Switzer, SP Tampa Bay Devil Rays
In a season already mared by poor attendance and mounting loses, losing another key contributor to a lenghty injury is not what Lou Pinella and the Tampa Bay staff needed.
"It comes at a bad time. We don't have a true ace here, and Jeremi was one of those guys we thought could take up that mantle," Pinella said after the seriousness of the injury was announced.
Gonzalez left Friday's game against the Yankees after retiring Hideki Matsui for the final out of the 4th inning. He went into the hallway with team doctors and was not seen again. Almost immediately, Lance Carter jogged down to the bullpen and started warming, a clear indication that Gonzalez was not returning.
"I was in the clubhouse eating," Carter said, explaining his unorthodox entry into the game. "Not too many times we get called on that early in a game, so Lou lets us hang back until the start of the fifth. That's when we are stupposed to be down there in uniform."
Gonzalez wasn't avaliable after the game, but GM Chuck LaMar spoke briefly after leaving the trainor's room.
"At the time, we thought it wasn't too serious. Just a pulled muscle, maybe a missed start. But now, it is looking like atleast a month until he can get back on the mound, nevermind rehabbing time."
When asked about a replacement, LaMar said: "I've already called Durham and John Switzer is on his way here. If that doesn't work out, then we will call around and handle it that way, but my first choice is for someone in the organization to take that spot."
For the year, the 29 year old had a 4-2 record in 12 starts, with a 5.67 ERA. In 60.1 innings, opponents were batting .272 against him. He has struck out 37 while walking just 26. Gonzalez joins Toby Hall (out for year - broken wrist), Seth McClung (7 weeks), John Webb (6 weeks), and Josh Hamilton (drug suspension - 22 weeks) on the DL.
John Switzer, after missing the first month of the season with a inflamed rotator cuff muscle, has made 3 starts with Triple-A Durham, compiling a 1-0 record in 17 innings of work. Opponents are hitting just .177 against the lefty. He has walked 2 while striking out 19. This will be his first time starting at the major league level after 5 unimpressive late season relief appearances in 2003.
The pick of Switzer, who has made only three starts this year with Durham came as a bit of a surprised considering Tampa Bay acquired veteran Shawn Estes earlier in the season as an emergency starter. Estes, who was claimed off waivers from Colorado, has made 5 starts with the Durham Bulls, pitching 37 innings, with 37 K's and 10 BB's. Despite two straight season with an ERA over 5, look for Estes to make an appearance in Tampa Bay should another start struggle or go down with an injury.