Erstad goes on 15-day DL; Rivera activated

[riverdunesrat]

This was my worst fear that when he went to CF he'd become injured.....shoulda kept him at first, I tell ya......


Erstad goes on DL; Rivera activated

May 8, 2006

TORONTO (AP) -- The Los Angeles Angels placed outfielder Darin Erstad on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of a sore right ankle and activated outfielder Juan Rivera.

Erstad is hitting .238, with four RBIs in 22 games this year. He hasn't played since being scratched from the lineup May 1.

He was scheduled to see a doctor on Monday and undergo an MRI exam.

"Hopefully, it's just an irritated tendon and it calms down," Erstad said.

Rivera, who went on the DL on April 22 with a strained left rib cage, has appeared in 12 games this season, batting .229 with a homer and six RBIs.

Los Angeles entered Monday's game in a 2-8 slump, totaling 29 runs and batting .207.

Rivera went 5-for-9 with three doubles and a home run in two games during a rehab stint at Triple-A Salt Lake.

"He's a big part of what our offense needs," manager Mike Scioscia said. "Him swinging the bat well would be a good start."

Updated on Monday, May 8, 2006 6:08 pm EDT

[Providence A's]

not really surprising though...

[riverdunesrat]

Erstad's ankle being stubborn still on DL

[Providence A's]

I don't think he makes that big of a difference if he's hurt or not.

[riverdunesrat]

The injury front: Darin Erstad had to leave a game in the seventh inning with Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday with soreness and irritation in his right ankle. He sat out altogether on Tuesday.

"He was a little sore so I think we're going to re-evaluate where he is," Scioscia said. "He had been making great progress and hopefully it was just a little bump in the road."

[Providence A's]

hmmm...seems like this may be a problem that lingers throughout the year.

[ThomasTomasz]

hmmm...seems like this may be a problem that lingers throughout the year.

Yeah, when he's out playing the outfield. This has happened to him before, and I believe was the main reason Erstad was moved to firstbase in the first place. Now, he's showing signs of brittleness again, and the constant moving and running is getting to him. The Angels should have kept him at first, and even when the Orioles were interested in trading for him this past offseason, they were going to place him at first, not the outfield.

[riverdunesrat]

I told them not to put him in the OF, but as usual they didn't listen to me......

[riverdunesrat]

More from today:

06/07/2006 4:57 PM ET
By Mike Scarr / MLB.com

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. --

Step back: Darin Erstad cut his rehab assignment with Salt Lake short and returned home after his sore right ankle did not improve. The center fielder has been on the disabled list since May 1 and had played in four rehab games but he took himself out in the seventh inning Monday night and did not play Tuesday.

"For Ersty to take himself out of a game, then it is significant," Scioscia said.

Erstad will meet with doctors to determine how long this latest setback will keep him out, but surgery has yet to be discussed. Counting Wednesday's series finale against the Devil Rays, Erstad has missed 34 games. Chone Figgins, Juan Rivera and Tommy Murphy have been sharing the duties in center, but Scioscia said Erstad has been missed.

"Ersty brings a unique package to our team and the key is to be healthy and give us defensive presence in center field," Scioscia said. "When he is healthy, he is a tremendous offensive player that does well in the clutch and we need that on this team."

Erstad was hitting .238 with seven doubles and four homers in 80 at-bats. He also missed time in Spring Training with bone chips in the same ankle and Scioscia said his leadership skills are equally important.

It was Erstad who shouted in the clubhouse following a loss last month as the team was in the middle of a tough stretch and exhorted his team to stick together.

"His presence even when he wasn't playing for us is important," Scioscia said.