Renteria Suffers Back Pain, Might Go On Disabled List
By Rick Hummel
Of the Post-Dispatch
June 30, 2001
The Cardinals probably will be operating without shortstop Edgar Renteria this weekend because Renteria is still bothered by lower back pain.
Tests conducted Thursday in St. Louis before the Cardinals started their nine-game trip revealed no structural damage, trainer Barry Weinberg said. But Renteria said it hurts when he walks. Being unable to walk, let alone run or bend, seems to be a detriment to a ballplayer.
"That's not even good for coaches," said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who will be working with only four bench players in this three-game series against the San Francisco Giants. The status of one of those players, catcher Eli Marrero, is uncertain because of a sprained left thumb.
Renteria is on the trip. He said the medical staff "told me that one day I will feel better. But it's not today."
The trip began in shaky fashion Friday night as the Giants overcame Ray Lankford's home run in the top of the fifth with two runs in the bottom of of the inning. The Giants led 2-1 entering the seventh.
Renteria said he has had back problems before but less severe. He first felt discomfort while making a play in the field in the first inning Wednesday and then felt worse when he tried to run after grounding out in the second inning.
It is unknown if Renteria will be able to play in the next series, beginning Tuesday in Milwaukee, or even in Cleveland before the All-Star break. If Renteria is unable to play in Milwaukee, he probably will go on the disabled list.
With Renteria injured, Placido Polanco moved from third base to shortstop. Albert Pujols was back at third after a recent tour in the outfield.
Craig Paquette could play third base, but La Russa said, "Any excuse I have to play Pujols at third, I'm playing him there. The more he plays there, the better we're all going to be."
Second baseman Fernando Vina was back in the lineup after missing a game with a sinus infection and a bruised right calf. "I would have played anyway," Vina said, still unaware of Renteria's continuing discomfort. "One day's enough for me."
La Russa considered playing Bobby Bonilla in the outfield against Giants starter Kirk Rueter on Friday because Bonilla was seven for 12 with four homers against him.
But La Russa was concerned that Bonilla, whose knee has been injured, would have trouble patrolling the nooks and crannies of right center field or the deep left field. And, with just four bench players available, La Russa would have to use one of them for defense to replace Bonilla.
Mark McGwire, a month removed from the disabled list, began Friday's game three for his last 26. La Russa said he could see some anxiety in the big man. "He's a proud guy and he's getting a little frustrated," La Russa said. "He chased some pitches (Wednesday) that he doesn't chase."
Hitting coach Mike Easler missed this trip. Hampered by an ear problem, Easler left the airport Thursday night before the Cardinals were to board their plane to fly here. Easler has an inner ear infection and was hospitalized. He is scheduled to rejoin the team in Milwaukee.
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