This Week In Setbacks
Is there a more disappointing word than “setback” to see in a sentence about your favorite player, or an article about your favorite team? You think someone is on the road back, ready to rejoin the lineup… and then… “…setback…” and the clock starts all over again. Inspired by news of Brett Gardner’s second (third? fourth? fifth?) setback from his elbow injury (the same Brett Gardner I stashed on my fantasy team’s DL when someone dropped him, hoping he’d be back shortly and with effectiveness), I thought I’d head over to Google News and see if I could come up with a truly frustrating, disappointing post to help you make it through your Tuesday.
This Week… In Setbacks.
1. The aforementioned Brett Gardner, with his second setback, from his injury suffered April 18. Now not expected back before the All-Star Break.
2. White Sox third baseman Brent Morel, on a back injury rehab assignment, pulled himself out of Thursday’s AAA game.
3. Scott Linebrink, whom the Cardinals released after his second setback in his recovery from right shoulder inflammation. Sort of a heartless quote in the article: “…left the Cardinals feeling that their best move would be to cut ties with Linebrink, rather than moving him to the 60-day DL and continuing to aid him in the rehab process.” Yikes.
And… that’s all I could find, at least with my quick search of baseball injury setback. Which surprised me. I feel like there are ten setbacks a day!
UPDATE: LATE BREAKING SETBACK NEWS… Dustin McGowan and Sergio Santos… someone out there heard me writing this post and decided to, uh, inflame a couple more shoulders….
Jeremy Blachman is the author of Anonymous Lawyer, a satirical novel that should make people who didn't go to law school feel good about their life choices. Read more at McSweeney's or elsewhere. He likes e-mail.
Most feared words (and names) in relation to a ballplayer on your fantasy roster, ascending order: Setback, Surgery, Dr. James Andrews
‘will seek a second opinion’ should be on that list.
as well as “… is not the real Leo Nunez.”
“Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner (elbow) said on Tuesday that he hopes to return to play again this season, reports Newsday. Gardner went to see Dr. James Andrews Monday after he suffered a setback on his ailing right elbow. Gardner is going to visit Dr. Timothy Kremchek on Thursday for a third opinion.”
If “will seek a second opinion” is on the list, surely “…for a third opinion” ranks greater than it.
“managed by Tony La Russa”
hahaha or any sentence beginning with “Bobby Valentine made the decision to…”