May 5, 200422 yr Fox eased injury isn't worse; Castillo's pinkie is broken By Greg A. Bedard, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Wednesday, May 5, 2004 MIAMI GARDENS -- When a player is told he has to sit out at least four weeks because of an injury, usually the news is upsetting. But to Marlins reliever Chad Fox, Monday's diagnosis of his elbow problem as ulnar neuritis was welcome news. "There's definitely a huge sigh of relief that we can move forward," Fox said. "I can start rehabbing pretty aggressively and continue to get back to work." Fox, 33, has a history of elbow problems: two ligament replacement surgeries and another procedure to remove scar tissue. But the MRI done by Dr. James Andrews revealed no tendon tears, something that would have made Fox consider retirement. Ulnar neuritis is inflammation around a nerve in the elbow. "I want some questions answered still. Why are my fingers numb? Why is there still some tingling?" asked Fox, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list last week. "Dr. Andrews feels very confident that in three or four weeks we'll be able to find those answers. It's one of those deals that only time is going to tell how this thing reacts. "The main thing is there is inflammation around the nerve. What's causing that? Who knows. We have to calm that down and until it is, I can't start throwing." Fox was the main right-handed reliever in Florida's bullpen. Until he returns, the onus will be on Nate Bump (eight earned runs in his past six innings) and Justin Wayne (1.26 ERA) to fill the void, unless the Marlins trade for another reliever. "I think (Fox's absence) showed in those recent games," said manager Jack McKeon, whose team entered Tuesday's game losers of three straight. "He's a big factor, there's no question about it. He was the guy to set up the eighth and now we're trying to find one to fill that spot. "We know (the bullpen) will have their ups and downs and hopefully we can mix and match to get us through a long stretch." Castillo misses start with broken finger: Second baseman Luis Castillo was scratched from the starting lineup after X-rays of his left pinkie revealed a small chip fracture. Castillo, who pinch-ran in the 10th inning, suffered the injury Sunday against the Giants. Damion Easley replaced Castillo. Burnett faces live hitting: Right-hander A.J. Burnett, who has been out slightly more than a year after Tommy John surgery, will throw against live hitters for the first time in batting practice. "It's a big step," Burnett said. "It's one step closer to getting into the action. I'll be seeing some live hitters for the first time. I didn't even do that in spring training. I'm feeling good, feeling strong." Burnett will throw three innings, a total of about 45 pitches. "That should be a good indicator," McKeon said. "Everything seems to be going the way it should be. A couple of batting practice sessions and we'll see how he is after that." Burnett will have to make several minor-league starts before making his return, which is scheduled to be around July 1. Noteworthy: McKeon received the key to the city of Hallandale on Monday, and said entering the political fray was something he entertained before returning to the dugout with the Marlins. "When I was back in North Carolina, I thought about running for office, maybe the state Senate," he said. "But then I figured I'd only get one term because I wouldn't let those guys buy me off and I wouldn't get reelected." greg_bedard@pbpost.com Article
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