St. Louis OF Rick Ankiel will sit out for the remainder of the season in order to have surgery to fix a lower abdominal injury that has been lingering for at least 2 months. Ankiel was dianosed with a sports hernia on Friday and the Cards realize that an a healthy Ankiel for next season was better than an unproductive one right now.
Whenever Mets Closer Billy Wagner tries to take one step forward, he continues to end up taking two steps backward. Wagner, in a simulated game on Sunday, experienced more discomfort in his elbow and was only able to throw to one batter. Now Wagner will undergo Tommy John surgery, which may sideline him for the entire 2009 season. If fantasy owners have not already found another closer, now is definitely the time to do so.
Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard may not be having the type of season he expected as far as batting average goes, but his power numbers are still more than respectable. On Sunday, Howard hit his 40th home run, making him the first Philly ever to hit 40 or more homers for 3 straight seasons. He also has 120 RBIS to go along with it.
According to manger Ozzie Guillen, White Sox third baseman Joe Crede will not play another inning this season. Crede has been struggling with back issues all season after his back flared up again on Tuesday, that must have been the tipping point for Guillen's remarks. Juan Uribe is expected to replace Crede for the remainder of the year.
In the last game prior to sitting out with a right elbow injury, Josh Beckett allowed eight runs in less than three full innings. On Friday, Beckett showed why he has been regarded as one of the best in the game, going 5 innings with 7 strikeouts on a limited pitch count. The Red Sox were pleased with his performance, and more importantly, know that Beckett is needed to make a legitimate run in October.
