Renteria Is Dealing With A Bad Back
By Joe Strauss Of The Post-Dispatch
May 08, 2004
MONTREAL - Shortstop Edgar Renteria missed Saturday's start against the Montreal Expos because of the same lower back stiffness that forced him from Friday's 4-2 loss in the sixth inning.
The club classified Renteria as "day-to-day."
Last week La Russa said he planned to rest Renteria today in favor of rookie Hector Luna. La Russa advanced the timetable when Renteria walked off the field Friday.
Renteria has been receiving regular massage therapy. "It's been hurting, but last night it got worse," he said. "It wasn't going to get better if I stayed in there. Why risk it?"
Hitting .130 with runners in scoring position compared to .326 in other situations, Renteria admitted that back pain has bothered him both at the plate and in the field, where the two-time Gold Glover has committed four errors and has looked uncomfortable. His discomfort is compounded by a new artificial surface at Olympic Stadium, a rubber-sand base beneath a rug with the consistency of shag.
"Every other place that has artificial turf, the ball comes to you," Renteria said. "Here the ball goes away from you. It's a weird place."
Renteria missed only five games last season as he hit .330, scored 96 runs, drove in 100 and committed 16 errors. He broke an 0-for-11 slide with runners in scoring position Thursday in Philadelphia, one day after he hit his first home run since April 6.
La Russa said Renteria may be struggling because of his back. "If a hitter is dealing with something slightly off - you look at J.D.'s knee two years ago or (Scott) Rolen's neck and shoulder last year - you lose something," La Russa said.
First-base coach Dave McKay experienced lower back discomfort in Philadelphia and switched roles with bench coach Joe Pettini for this weekend's three games.
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