Despite popular belief, the Dodgers are in need of starting pitching. Despite the dominance of Johan Santana, the Twins’ offense has the team sputtering. And is it possible that Jason Schmidt has meant just as much to the Giants’ success as Barry Bonds has? All this and much more news from Los Angeles, Minnesota, and San Francisco in your Monday edition of Prospectus Triple Play.
According to the team–and confirmed through multiple sources, in order to prove to the many skeptics that there’s no smokescreen–Prior has no problems with his UCL or ulnar nerve. Instead, a bone scan showed an inflammation near the elbow. In essence, Prior has shin splints in his elbow area. The technical term is periostitis, but let’s stick with something we can all say.
Prior will not go to the DL, and based on his lack of soreness Monday after a bullpen session on Sunday, he could start on Tuesday, his regular turn. It’s much more likely that the Cubs will be cautious and let Glendon Rusch take the start. So what does this mean for Prior and the Cubs? I simply don’t know. None of my best sources had seen this type of injury before, and more than one questioned the diagnosis. Simply put, we’re in uncharted territory, and the best guide will be Mark Prior himself. Many are already questioning his toughness, but that’s the same wrong-headed locker room machismo that’s cost the game so many players in the past.