Well, this sounds bad.

[reds44]

Milton update

It sounds like there's a little more than "stiffness" going on with Eric Milton's left elbow. He said he felt it grab on one pitch in particular and didn't sound terribly optimistic heading into a full exam tomorrow.

"It’s been sore for a while, but in the fifth inning I felt it on one slider," he said. "I don’t know what to say. It’s painful and we’ll see what the MRI says tomorrow."

Milton has never had arm trouble before. If this injury is serious, the Reds are looking at a weekend one-two punch of some combination of Jason Johnson, Sun-Woo Kim and Chris Michalak for Saturday and Sunday starts at Wrigley Field.

This could be a devestating blow to our playoff hopes. Say what you want about Uncle Milty, but without him we are screwed.

[guttle11]

Wow.

Milton's been consistent of late. That would really, really hurt.

[Highlifeman21]

The last thing this team needs for a "playoff push" is Chris Michalak getting the ball.

Mark us down for the L anytime he gets a start.

[jimbo]

I've really got my fingers crossed on this one. He's given the Reds some nice consistancy of late keeping the team in the games he's pitched. Losing him would be just plain bad.

[deltachi8]

Signing Milton was a devastating blow to the Red's playoff hopes.

[Heath]

First it is Rich Aurilia's bat that carries us.

Now Eric Milton's been marginally ok that last few outings.

And, the Reds are mathematically alive for the post season.

Is the apocalypse near?

[RedLegSuperStar]

got to love that combination of Johnson, Woo, & Michalak

[membengal]

For the first time, I am led to murmur...Bailey?

[RANDY IN INDY]

If Milton goes down, it definitely should be considered.

[Phhhl]

I guess the Reds could have used Jerome Williams after all...

[BuckWoody]

Originally Posted by Heath

First it is Rich Aurilia's bat that carries us.

Now Eric Milton's been marginally ok that last few outings.

And, the Reds are mathematically alive for the post season.

Is the apocalypse near?

The Cubbies are holding up the division so I don't think we're anywhere near the apocalypse.

[Unassisted]

Originally Posted by membengal

For the first time, I am led to murmur...Bailey?

Bring up the future ace and his one pitch to plug a veteran hole in the rotation and put a wobbly tentpole under the slim hope that this team makes the playoffs? No thank you.

[flyer85]

anyone rather have Germano?

maybe it should be Homer time.

[Falls City Beer]

Maybe now the temptation to use Milton because of his price tag will be removed next season if he's out of commission. And some real energy and heavy lifting will be dedicated to actually improving the rotation next year, not just crossing fingers and praying that bums like Mays, Lohse, etc pan out.

[membengal]

Originally Posted by Unassisted

Bring up the future ace and his one pitch to plug a veteran hole in the rotation and put a wobbly tentpole under the slim hope that this team makes the playoffs? No thank you.

I know it's borderline insane, but no guarantee that they pass this way again, this close to the playoffs, at any point in homer's pre-free agent years. Heck 90 wins is sometimes five games from the playoffs. So, we are here, the NL is as watered down as I have ever seen it, they are still breathing, is five innings of Homer better than five innings of Michalek? I bet it is. Will five innings of Homer mess up his arm or head for future years? Dunno. Seems unlikely, but dunno.

Just saying, if they sweep the Pads, are in this thing come this weekend, it will be a hard pill to swallow with someone like Bailey available and not used.

Ah well, I presume it will be swallow time. And not saying it is necessarily wrong, but still seems like something they may have entertained at some point...