桑田はどうなる？

MLB HPより抜粋。
Masumi Kuwata was taken off the field on a golf cart during the eighth inning on Monday, representing the latest Pirates injury, but also a sad turn for the Japanese righty whose dream is to one day play in the Major Leagues.

Kuwata, 38, had survived many rounds of Spring Training cuts and earned praise from manager Jim Tracy, who seemed, if anything, pleasantly surprised by the Japanese pitcher who'd spent the previous 21 seasons with the Yomiuri [Tokyo] Giants. He seemed poised to make the roster at Triple-A Indianapolis, until a nasty spill in the eighth inning of a 2-2 tie with Toronto put things on hold for a bit.

Kuwata was attempting to back up third base after Toronto's John McDonald knocked a bloop single with a man on first. The right-hander became entangled with home plate umpire Wally Bell, who was heading to third as well, and fell face-down near the coaches' box, where he remained unmoving until surrounded by teammates and head team trainer Brad Henderson.

"He stepped on my left ankle, and I believe at that point he twisted his [right] ankle," said Bell. "I saw him before he saw me. I tried to put my hand out, but we collided."

Kuwata was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital for X-rays, and returned to the clubhouse not long after the game, wearing a plastic splint. He was ushered immediately into the training room and had the door shut behind him.

Kuwata was diagnosed as having a grade 3 sprain of his right ankle, which was reported to be severely swollen. So much so, in fact, that doctors are not ruling out a break. Grade three is the most serious sprain, on a scale of 1-3. Kuwata will be re-evaluated on Tuesday morning by team physician Patrick DeMeo.

Monday was just Kuwata's second outing since returning from a left ankle sprain he suffered on March 9. He sat out nine days that time around, and seemed to be eager to get back into action immediately. It's unknown how long he'll be sidelined this time around.

"He's done a great job, and it really is a shame because, had we not dealt with the left ankle earlier, our intention was to continue to pitch the guy," Tracy said. "Get him out there, and find out exactly what it is that we have from the standpoint of physical capability."

Grabow coming along: Tracy said that southpaw John Grabow was, "very, very encouraged" about the throwing elbow that's been threatening to place the reliever on the disabled list to start the season. Grabow will throw a bullpen session on Thursday, marking the latest checkpoint on his road back to the bullpen.

"Grabow's doing work [a lot] earlier than we even thought he would be," Tracy said. "John Grabow was such a good pitcher for us last year, and such a terrific teammate, that when you see the smile on his face that he's had over the last four or five days ... all you have to do is look at him, and you know how his elbow feels."

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右足首のねんざのひどさが、１－３のうちで、一番悪い３では選手生命を絶たれる可能性もあるのかもしれない。本当に良くやったと思う。
１９９４年は、ストのためワールドシリーズがなく、代わりに日本シリーズが米国で放映されていた。桑田と工藤が、評価されていたが、その時の実力ならMLBでも通用していたかもしれない。次の年に、野茂が新人王を取った。