Gammons: Ten Spring Questions Left to Answer

[Fan_In_NY]

But while Isringhausen is about to start pitching in games, there is still concern; the left hip/right shoulder injury combination is not easy to overcome.

Can someone help me understand the basis for Gammons making this statement? Are there precedents - have others suffered this injury combination and not been able to come back? Or is it just due to the strain the pitching motion puts on these 2 areas?

I think it could be a compensation issue. You may compensate for a sore hip by using your shoulder more, and vice versa. If both are giving you problems, then you may be in some trouble

[Radbird]

But while Isringhausen is about to start pitching in games, there is still concern; the left hip/right shoulder injury combination is not easy to overcome.

Can someone help me understand the basis for Gammons making this statement? Are there precedents - have others suffered this injury combination and not been able to come back? Or is it just due to the strain the pitching motion puts on these 2 areas?

I think it could be a compensation issue. You may compensate for a sore hip by using your shoulder more, and vice versa. If both are giving you problems, then you may be in some trouble

So what that means is even though he may be physically sound (let's hope), he has to overcome the bad habits he may have developed when he was dealing with the injuries. Right?

[Phyrkrakr]

But while Isringhausen is about to start pitching in games, there is still concern; the left hip/right shoulder injury combination is not easy to overcome.

Can someone help me understand the basis for Gammons making this statement? Are there precedents - have others suffered this injury combination and not been able to come back? Or is it just due to the strain the pitching motion puts on these 2 areas?

I think it could be a compensation issue. You may compensate for a sore hip by using your shoulder more, and vice versa. If both are giving you problems, then you may be in some trouble

So what that means is even though he may be physically sound (let's hope), he has to overcome the bad habits he may have developed when he was dealing with the injuries. Right?

That's my understanding. When you have troubles planting your fulcrum leg, it puts more strain on your shoulder, which, in Izzy's case, is the one that's already been surgically repaired.

[stlmark]

Gammons is the only one at ESPN that has a clue IMO.

I have to agree with you gantnege. Gammons is always a good read.

[Schlich]

I admire the Twins greatly, but how on earth are they going to piece together a rotation behind Santana? Counting on Silva, Ponson, and Ramon Ortiz sounds like a recipe for disaster. Heck, they should have signed Jason Marquis.

They've got Bonser and Garza too. Garza is a stud, and Bonser was very solid in a half season for them last year with a similarly solid minor league background.

is liriano still hurt?

[JL21]

I admire the Twins greatly, but how on earth are they going to piece together a rotation behind Santana? Counting on Silva, Ponson, and Ramon Ortiz sounds like a recipe for disaster. Heck, they should have signed Jason Marquis.

They've got Bonser and Garza too. Garza is a stud, and Bonser was very solid in a half season for them last year with a similarly solid minor league background.

is liriano still hurt?

Yes. He's out for this season.

[valley_card22]

LOve Gammons. Him and Kirjucin are the only guys i read/watch on ESPN..maybe some Jayson Stark, but hes a far third. But anyone whos on the $20 (Gammons) is alright in my book.

[Wekse5]

i find it hilarious that larussa thinks molina is "the best catcher in baseball."

[JL21]

i find it hilarious that larussa thinks molina is "the best catcher in baseball."

We really don't know the context of his comments. Defensively, there's a very real argument to be made. And yes, there are some issues with blocking balls but the net value of his arm more than compensates.

[Schlich]

i find it hilarious that larussa thinks molina is "the best catcher in baseball."

We really don't know the context of his comments. Defensively, there's a very real argument to be made. And yes, there are some issues with blocking balls but the net value of his arm more than compensates.

Are there really some issues with him blocking balls? in all the games that I've seen, which is a lot of games, he seems no worse at blocking balls than any other catcher in the league. At the worst, I've seen him block a ball and it would squirt to the edge of the batter's circle... but I definitely wouldn't consider it a liability.