Notes: Shin splints sideline Hamilton

[NatiRedGals]

Notes: Shin splints sideline Hamilton
Outfielder will be rested against his former team
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

Josh Hamilton has gone 9-for-16 with a home run and three RBIs in five games. (Al Behrman/AP)


SARASOTA, Fla. -- Opposing pitching has yet to slow down Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton this spring, but sore legs temporarily have.

Because he's been bothered by shin splints, Hamilton will be rested from Tuesday's game against the Devil Rays at St. Petersburg.

The overall No. 1 draft pick by Tampa Bay in 1999, Hamilton's first return to the area as a visiting player was expected to draw some extra attention. He was part of the Rays organization during his near four-year absence from the game because of drug suspensions and injuries and never reached the Majors as greatly anticipated.

"I've had it the last week and a half," Hamilton said of his injury. "But I know people will think I'm not going because of who we're playing."

Hamilton played his fifth-straight game for the Reds on Monday and went 1-for-1 against the Phillies with a walk and a run scored as the center fielder. He was lifted from the game before the fourth inning and replaced by Jerry Gil.

This spring, Hamilton is 9-for-16 (.563) with a homer, three RBIs and four runs scored. Reds manager Jerry Narron had originally planned to play the 25-year-old against his old organization.

"Tampa Bay has nothing to do with it," Narron said. "That's why I took him out of the game after two at-bats today."

Narron expected Hamilton would miss just the one game. The manager is trying to give him as many at-bats as possible this spring to improve his chances of making the team. Because he's a Rule 5 Draft player, if Cincinnati doesn't keep Hamilton on the 25-man roster all season, he could still be offered back to Tampa Bay if he's not claimed off of waivers first.

The Reds and Devil Rays will meet twice more after Tuesday, including March 23 at St. Petersburg.

Wilson roughed up: Reds starting pitcher Paul Wilson did not mince his words about his Monday performance vs. the Phillies.

"It was ugly and I got my [tail] kicked around," Wilson said.

Wilson allowed five earned runs and seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. The right-hander is trying to earn a spot on the pitching staff after being out since May 2005 because of shoulder surgery. In his spring debut Thursday, he appeared much better during two innings of relief

"He just did not have good command today," Narron said. "He did not throw strikes, basically."

At some points, Wilson appeared to be one pitch, or one out, from escaping danger but couldn't finish off the hitter. At other times, like the top of the third inning, he looked strong and struck out his first two batters.



"It would come and go," Wilson said. "I would feel comfortable and I could feel confident. I'd slow down and everything would be working right. Then, I'd try to get in a hurry and be a spaz and it'd snowball. Baseball doesn't care whether you've been hurt or not hurt. If you're not doing the right things, and not being aggressive, it can come back and bite you. Who knows? Maybe that's exactly what I needed."

Injury report: X-rays taken on Ryan Freel's injured left hand were negative. Freel, who was injured during Saturday's game, was given an extra day of rest and was expected to return to action Tuesday.

Starting pitcher Kyle Lohse, who came out of Friday's game with a strained right hamstring, is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Wednesday. Bronson Arroyo, who missed a "B" game Sunday because of the flu, threw in a simulated game on Monday.

Ken Griffey Jr. (left hand) took more batting practice on Monday. Outfielder/first baseman Jeff Conine (back) was given another day of rest.

Kidding around: Wilson was pitching on three days' rest Monday and a few other starting pitchers have done likewise this week. But Narron had no ulterior motives in mind.

"I'm not trying to get a four-man rotation, if that's what you're thinking," Narron said. "My thoughts on a four-man rotation and Nicole Kidman are probably the same."

Narron is a fan of the days when there were still four-man rotations.

Coming up: Eric Milton will make his second spring start for the Reds in Tuesday's 1:05 p.m. ET meeting with the Devil Rays. Matt Belisle, Brian Shackelford, Victor Santos and Kerry Ligtenberg are also expected to get some innings. Right-hander James Shields will start for Tampa Bay.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Falls City Beer]

Shin splints hurt. But once you get over them, they stay away for a long time. At least in my experience.

[jimbo]

Yeah, I've had the same experience with them. Painful as he!! when you have them, but once they are gone they normally stay away. His legs just have to get accustomed to the pounding.

[thatcoolguy_22]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

Shin splints hurt. But once you get over them, they stay away for a long time. At least in my experience.

I ran cross country and played soccer in highschool. I would get shinsplints a couple of months into a hard training program all the time. Then I would be forced to take as much as 3 weeks off. I must have had them a grand total of 15 times between hs and college. Later while in the miitary I found out that I had over 30 hairline fractures in each ankle/shin...

These things can progress. Give the kid some time. He's been working out like it was midseason for over a month now.



---Also a doctor once speculated it was because of my gate when I ran. If it becomes a consistent thing maybe a coach or someone could help out

[coachw513]

Originally Posted by NatiRedGals

Notes: Shin splints sideline Hamilton

"I'm not trying to get a four-man rotation, if that's what you're thinking," Narron said. "My thoughts on a four-man rotation and Nicole Kidman are probably the same."

Narron is a fan of the days when there were still four-man rotations.

.

Does Mark think there's any other way to interpret that statement???...and exactly how is your wife doing, Jerry???

[RedFanAlways1966]

I hope Hamilton is okay. It seems like something that might happen to a guy who has been away for some time. I don't know his workout routine (esp. in the last year). He seems like a strong guy, but perhaps spent more time in the weight room than running. Seems like shin splits happen when the legs get over-exerted... not that I am anywhere near an expert on these things.

Reminds me of when I played HS baseball and we spent a lot of time doing conditioning in the gym before we ever put on a glove or swung a bat. When doing lots of runnning our manager would regularly make us stop and walk on the heels of out feet (backwards tippy-toe). Supposedly it was to help prevent shin splints. Like I said I am not an expert, but it seemed to help since no one on the team ever seemed bothered by shin splints.

[edabbs44]

It shouldn't be too much of a setback...there are plenty of other things that would worry me more.

Plus, maybe Deno can win a spot in Jerry's heart tomorrow.

[vaticanplum]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

Shin splints hurt. But once you get over them, they stay away for a long time. At least in my experience.

God, not me, I used to get them all the time when I was waitressing (because I refused to wear ugly waitress shoes). I probably never let them properly recover, though.

[Red in Atl]

I used to get shin splits every year at Miami O. Walking up all those damn hills. The first week was a *****, but you'd just have to walk your way through it. Course I'm sure his are worse than mine ever were...

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by vaticanplum

God, not me, I used to get them all the time when I was waitressing (because I refused to wear ugly waitress shoes). I probably never let them properly recover, though.

I can see that waitressing would give you shin splints and keep em there. After all, you're always rocking back on your heels, putting excessive weight on them, and that's what causes shin splints.

[5DOLLAR-BLEACHERBUM]

Could open up a stint on the DL to get him a rehab stint at the begining of the season. Does seem odd that it is the Tampa game. Maybe we don't want them to see what they got rid of.

[George Anderson]

Originally Posted by 5DOLLAR-BLEACHERBUM

Could open up a stint on the DL to get him a rehab stint at the begining of the season. Does seem odd that it is the Tampa game. Maybe we don't want them to see what they got rid of.

I seriously doubt if the Reds are concerned with TB seeing what they got rid of. In fact if I were the Reds I would LOVE for TB to see what they got rid of.

[KoryMac5]

Originally Posted by 5DOLLAR-BLEACHERBUM

Could open up a stint on the DL to get him a rehab stint at the begining of the season. Does seem odd that it is the Tampa game. Maybe we don't want them to see what they got rid of.

Sounds more like a precaution to keep him off the DL. I agree the timing doesn't look great but Hamilton is a competitive guy and I am sure he would like to show Tampa how far he has come.

[bucksfan2]

Shin splints are a pain. I get them from time to time when running. I dont think this will be a problem because of the surface that he will be playing on. Hes not playing on astro turn for on asphalt so the grass field shouldn't cause too much of a problem.