INSIDE PITCH
Randy Johnson's recovery and return from late October back surgery
had been smooth sailing, for the most part. He got a late start in
spring training, but never missed a beat in his ongoing rehab that would
eventually see him returning to form, especially in his past three starts
for the Diamondbacks.
But on Wednesday, it was learned that Johnson will have to miss his
start on Friday against the visiting Astros -- and not because of his
back.
Johnson, 43, is now sidelined with what the team is called forearm
tendonitis. The veteran left-hander said he experienced some soreness in
his left forearm after his 79-pitch effort in Colorado a week ago in
which he faced the minimum amount of batters over six innings and then
felt additional soreness on Sunday while warming up in Pittsburgh.
He received a cortisone shot on Tuesday and after being evaluated by
the club's hand specialist, Dr. Don Sheridan, Johnson sounded confident
he may only be forced to miss one start.
"He said it was nothing to worry about," Johnson said of Sheridan.
"He felt like it's be in my best interest to have it rest for just one
start."
Johnson suspects the injury could be a byproduct of having a delayed
spring training.
"Now that my body is starting to give me the results that I want,
I'm putting a little bit more effort into everything a little bit more,"
Johnson said. "If this is the World Series, I'd be out there. But I've
got 25 other games to think about. So I think it would be safe to put
the 24 games ahead of one game."
The injury gives Edgar Gonzalez, whose spot in the rotation was usurped by Johnson last month, a chance to prove that he belongs in a major league rotation. Gonzalez is out of options, and could be used as trade bait in July. Gonzalez had a 4.45 ERA in five starts this year, but has an 8.10 ERA while seeing limited action in the Diamondbacks bullpen.
Johnson hopes to make his next start on Wednesday in Philadelphia.
ROCKIES 2, DIAMONDBACKS 0: The Diamondbacks couldn't solve Colorado
pitcher Jeff Francis, who improved to 7-1 lifetime against Arizona in
allowing just five hits over seven innings and letting just two
Diamondbacks baserunners to reach second base.
Ryan Spilborghs accounted for both of the Rockies' RBIs, doubling
home Jamey Carroll in the third inning and scoring Carroll again in the
fifth with a single -- all off left-hander Doug Davis (2-6), who allowed
six hits through seven innings.
Diamondbacks rookie third baseman Mark Reynolds had three of his
team's hits and is now batting .393 since being promoted straight from
Class AA Mobile to fill in for the injured Chad Tracy (rib cage strain).
It was the second time the Diamondbacks have been shut out this
season.
NOTES, QUOTES
--CF Chris Young was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday as he
still is not fully recovered from a left groin strain. He was replaced by
Scott Hairston, who missed the past two games with a sore wrist and
stomach problems.
--LHP Doug Davis went 0-for-1 Wednesday, extending his hitless
streak to 0-for-45, the longest active streak in the majors.
--RHP Edgar Gonzalez is expected to pitch for LHP Randy Johnson on
Friday against visiting Houston. Johnson will skip the start because of
tendinitis in his left forearm. Gonzalez has been pitching out of the
bullpen for the past several weeks after beginning the season in the
starting rotation.
--3B Mark Reynolds on adjusting to opposing pitchers after his first
several days in the majors: "I've got to learn to be patient, because
they're not going to give me that first-pitch cookie anymore. I've got
to sit back and take my singles to right field, and when they make a
mistake, hit it."
--RHP Brandon Medders hasn't allowed a hit or a run in his past
three outings, spanning 3 1/3 innings, after allowing eight homers in his
first 18 appearances. In his last three relief efforts, he's allowed one
walk and has three strikeouts.
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