Sanchez joins club's walking wounded
Rookie centerfielder Alex Sanchez, whose "on the job" training has produced a slew of both highlights and lowlights for the Milwaukee Brewers this season, is likely headed for the disabled list.
Sanchez, bothered the past few days by soreness in his side, suffered a strained left oblique muscle when he tried to check his swing on a pitch from Houston's Pete Munro in the bottom of the fifth inning Thursday afternoon at Miller Park.
Alex Ochoa replaced Sanchez in the middle of the at-bat and flied out to left.
"It could be very serious," manager Jerry Royster said of Sanchez's injury, which comes at a time when Jeffrey Hammonds is battling a bruised left ankle.
"Obviously, we've all seen these injuries linger for a long time."
Sanchez is to be re-evaluated today, but it seems likely that the Brewers will have to dip into the minor leagues for a replacement.
That could present a problem.
Ryan Christenson, the best centerfielder at Class AAA Indianapolis, has been sidelined the past few weeks because of injury. Chris Jones, a 36-year-old journeyman who spent time with the Brewers in 2000, has been playing center for the Indians.
"I honestly don't know what we're going to do," Royster said. "We need a centerfielder. Christenson has been hurt. We'll see what happens."
With Richie Sexson battling tendinitis in his left hamstring, the Brewers considered calling up Izzy Alcantara from the minors. Alcantara has led the International League in homers for much of the season, but has been in a slump lately.
Given their dreary performance on the field and the general lack of excitement around the club, the Brewers could be tempted to promote David Krynzel, their No. 1 draft pick from 2000.
Krynzel has played well at Class A High Desert, but probably would be overwhelmed by big-league pitching.
Sanchez and Tyler Houston own the only .300 batting averages on the Brewers' roster. If Sanchez goes on the disabled list, Royster probably will install second baseman Eric Young as his leadoff man and try to get by with Ryan Thompson or Ochoa in center until Hammonds is ready to return.
Rookie centerfielder Alex Sanchez, whose "on the job" training has produced a slew of both highlights and lowlights for the Milwaukee Brewers this season, is likely headed for the disabled list.
Sanchez, bothered the past few days by soreness in his side, suffered a strained left oblique muscle when he tried to check his swing on a pitch from Houston's Pete Munro in the bottom of the fifth inning Thursday afternoon at Miller Park.
Alex Ochoa replaced Sanchez in the middle of the at-bat and flied out to left.
"It could be very serious," manager Jerry Royster said of Sanchez's injury, which comes at a time when Jeffrey Hammonds is battling a bruised left ankle.
"Obviously, we've all seen these injuries linger for a long time."
Sanchez is to be re-evaluated today, but it seems likely that the Brewers will have to dip into the minor leagues for a replacement.
That could present a problem.
Ryan Christenson, the best centerfielder at Class AAA Indianapolis, has been sidelined the past few weeks because of injury. Chris Jones, a 36-year-old journeyman who spent time with the Brewers in 2000, has been playing center for the Indians.
"I honestly don't know what we're going to do," Royster said. "We need a centerfielder. Christenson has been hurt. We'll see what happens."
With Richie Sexson battling tendinitis in his left hamstring, the Brewers considered calling up Izzy Alcantara from the minors. Alcantara has led the International League in homers for much of the season, but has been in a slump lately.
Given their dreary performance on the field and the general lack of excitement around the club, the Brewers could be tempted to promote David Krynzel, their No. 1 draft pick from 2000.
Krynzel has played well at Class A High Desert, but probably would be overwhelmed by big-league pitching.
Sanchez and Tyler Houston own the only .300 batting averages on the Brewers' roster. If Sanchez goes on the disabled list, Royster probably will install second baseman Eric Young as his leadoff man and try to get by with Ryan Thompson or Ochoa in center until Hammonds is ready to return.
