Neal Huntington Show: Club Caught Grilli Injury Early
PITTSBURGH (KDKA 93-7 The Fan)- Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington joined Greg Brown Sunday for his weekly show on The Fan.
Closer Jason Grilli was placed on the 15-day disabled list last week with an oblique injury. Huntington said that the club thinks they caught the injury early.
"In a perfect world, I'd think you'd like to try and avoid the DL. But, to go a pitcher short for an extended period of time was too much of a challenge," Huntington said. "It's our hope that it's 15 days at most, but if it takes longer, it takes longer and we'll have to cover until he's back."
Catcher Russell Martin was also placed on the disabled list with a hamstring strain. Huntington told Brown that a player will never be 100 percent during the season, but the club won't let Martin rush back.
"We've got to get him as close to healthy as we possibly can and, more importantly, try to get him away from potential re-injury because he tries to come back too soon because he cares and is just so hungry to help this club," Huntington said.
Francisco Liriano left Saturday's start with dizziness. Huntington was relieved to discover that it's not an injury that would send Liriano to the disabled list, although the club will make sure it's an isolated incident.
"Every injury's significant. Why was he lightheaded? We've got to do everything in our power to find out what's the cause of that and is there something else going on? We don't believe there is, but we don't want to send him back out in harm's way," Huntington said.
Huntington says that the club is working through the details, but after throwing Sunday, the next step for Wandy Rodriguez will be a minor league start.
Brandon Cumpton started Thursday in Rodriguez's place, and allowed two runs over seven innings. Huntington said that Cumpton gave the club a big shot in the arm.
"We've got a very high level of confidence if we need Brandon for longer than one more start, or whenever we need Brandon we've got a high level of confidence the young man's going to come out, compete, give us everything he has, and give us a legitimate chance to win a game," Huntington said.
Huntington told Brown that 2013 first-round pick Reese McGuire was placed on the disabled list with shoulder fatigue. Huntington said that the club thinks McGuire will be fine, but wanted to make sure he is fully healthy.
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