Didi Gregorius dealing with effects from temple contusion, missed Saturday’s game
Apr 28, 2013, 1:54 AM | Updated: 1:56 am
The Arizona Diamondbacks were without Didi Gregorius Saturday night, as the shortstop was still dealing with the effects caused from getting hit in the head with a pitch on Friday night.
Gregorius suffered a right temple contusion after getting smoked in the head with a 93 MPH fastball thrown by Josh Outman in the seventh inning of the D-backs’ 6-3 loss. Gregorius passed the written test on Friday night with “flying colors” according to manager Kirk Gibson. The plan was to sit the 23-year-old Saturday and go from there.
“He did his test, he did good on it. He still has some soreness and maybe a tinge of a headache so symptomatically he’s not cleared to play right yet,” said Gibson before Saturday’s game.
Gregorius stayed on the ground for a minute or two Friday night before walking off the field under his own power. Gibson reiterated that concussions and head injuries are not something to mess around with.
“He’ll stay off the field and maybe do some things in the training room,” said Gibson. “But, it’s just kind of a protocol you follow in these situations, certainly going to err on the side of caution.”
Gibson said that putting Gregorius on the special seven-day disabled list that’s meant for concussions is a possibility, but the D-backs had not made that decision before Saturday’s game.
Jason Kubel Update:
As the D-backs contemplate putting Didi Gregorius on the disabled list with concussion symptoms, they are also awaiting the return of veteran outfielder Jason Kubel. Kubel isy currentl sidelined with a strained left quad but has been making progress.
“He played today (in an extended spring game) and he’s raking,” said Gibson. “I think he’s going to go to Reno on Monday and play there. He’s kind of ready but you know we’d like to send him out and kind of confirm that.”
Kubel was put on the disabled list on April 13, but suffered the injury on April 5 against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
“He’ll be off tomorrow but work out here,” said Gibson. “Then he’ll play for Reno Monday, probably Tuesday and then Wednesday is kind of the day.”
The 30-year-old has played in just eight games this season with 30 at-bats. Reports were that Kubel feels ready to get back into game action but Gibson doesn’t want to rush anybody back and risk further injury.
