Gonzalez, Lo Duca could miss weekend series

By Joe Capozzi

 

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

Friday, September 09, 2005

 

WASHINGTON ? The Marlins will be without two regular position players as they begin a final drive for the playoffs in the last 22 games of the season.

 

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez (right elbow bone bruise) is expected to miss this weekend's series in Philadelphia, and catcher Paul Lo Duca will not play today and could be out until Monday after aggravating his sore right hamstring.

 

"It's something I'm going to have to deal with the rest of the year," Lo Duca said Thursday. "It won't be back to 100 percent until spring training."

 

Lo Duca admitted he returned too soon in August after missing nine games when he strained the hamstring. He said he should have gone on the disabled list to give the injury a better chance to heal.

 

Not really "Earth-shattering" news, but I know I was holding out hope to at least get LoDuca back. Knowing that his injury is now that serious isn't really encouraging.

 

Lo Duca has hit just.174 since returning Aug. 15. He said he still can hit and crouch behind the plate. His main problem is running.

 

"He can't run. That's it. Let's face it. He can do everything else but run," manager Jack McKeon said.

 

Matt Treanor will start at catcher for now, with rookie Josh Willingham providing depth.

 

Willis for Cy Young? Now that Dontrelle Willis has won 20 games, is the Cy Young Award next? He'll have to have a stronger finish than St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter, who was going for his 21st win Thursday, and Houston's Roger Clemens.

 

"I'm prejudiced, but on the other hand, you have to wait 'til the season is over to see what happens," McKeon said. "If Dontrelle goes 23- or 24-8 and (Carpenter) goes 22-7, I've got to go with Dontrelle."

 

Cubs manager Dusty Baker is torn between Willis and Carpenter.

 

"Sentiment probably says Dontrelle. But statistically, probably Carpenter," Baker told Cubs writers.

 

Willis said that after he won his 20th game Wednesday there were messages left on his cellphone from former Marlin Pudge Rodriguez and retired pitcher Dave Stewart, the former major-leaguer and the last black pitcher to have won 20 games (Oakland, 1990).

 

Willis also spoke with pitchers Carl Pavano and C.C. Sabathia. Willis said Stewart and other members of the Black Aces, a group of black pitchers who have won 20 games, will try to meet him in Houston next week.

Glad to see pudge and pavano keeping up with willis and giving him congradulations. I guess pudge still follows the team. D-train deserves it.

 

 

Hopefully trainer can keep up the good work filling in for loduca, maybe even a start from willy is in order here, but get well soon loduca, we need you to handle our pitching staff.

Loss of LoDuca - bad.

 

Loss of Alex - eh. Easley has filled in well.

Give a start to Willingham

Give a start to Willingham

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Free Willy!!!

 

:notworthy

 

This lineup would pack some punch...

 

Louie

Hermida

Cabs

Delgado

Enc

Conine

Willy

Easley

 

:notworthy

I'm pretty upset about LoDuca being hurt.

 

What the f##K was LoDuca doing playing hurt when we got a good lead on the game on Wedsneday? That was dumb.

 

Jack needs to wake up and take control and not let players manage for him. We have the depth on the bench with Willingham on the bench.

We need to give Willingham a shot in a game like the last two where we have a nice lead. Starting him right now isn't a good idea, I'd rather compromise the offense and have Treanor start and call a great game, which we know he can do.

We need to give Willingham a shot in a game like the last two where we have a nice lead. Starting him right now isn't a good idea, I'd rather compromise the offense and have Treanor start and call a great game, which we know he can do.

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I like the idea, but the only issue is that there is not a 3rd Catcher available. So if Willy gets in, and something happens . . . . Who else can catch?

I like the idea, but the only issue is that there is not a 3rd Catcher available. So if Willy gets in, and something happens . . . . Who else can catch?

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We could call up Jorg for extra insurance. He's already on the 40 man and there's space. Just an idea

I'm pretty upset about LoDuca being hurt.

 

What the f##K was LoDuca doing playing hurt when we got a good lead on the game on Wedsneday? That was dumb.

 

Jack needs to wake up and take control and not let players manage for him. We have the depth on the bench with Willingham on the bench.

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Jack said yesterday the he tried to take Duca out but he wouldnt leave. Duca said when Dontrelle comes out of the game I will too. Thats why Duca was in the game for that long :thumbup

Gonzalez hurts us the most. Treanor is a good fill-in defensively and has more than handled himself with the bat. Easley simply can not play shortstop. And as for the other potential starters, Willingham has a better bat right now than either Wilson or Andino.

this really shouldnt be a shock. our fill ins have been playing very well so im not worried at this time. id rather them rest and get well for the playoffs.

I agree that Willingham should be given a start or two, although I'm not sure how confident the organization is about his defense.

I agree that Willingham should be given a start or two, although I'm not sure how confident the organization is about his defense.

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as much as i would like to see willy in there at the catchers spot, i think these games are too important to have a kid that hasn't handled the pitching staff that much in there. i think treanor has got to be in there defensivly as he has done a wonderful job handling the pitching staff, even if his offense is as inconsistant as it is. i'd rather rely on the other guys, and after all, we are playing in coors field east.

Easley has been filling in for Sea Bass nicely for a bit. Treanor has been doing an adequate job so this is nothing terribly new.