Loretta

[washubeek]

Did anyone hear anything about Loretta. I heard he had a spraigned thumb but they were vague about a time table..

[converge241]

decision on monday about if he will go to DL

[bogie]

Here you go washubeek... don't know if it will help though


Loretta will be examined by hand specialist

By Bill Center
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
May 21, 2005

SEATTLE – The swelling around Mark Loretta's left thumb is lessening, which gives the second baseman cause for optimism.

But he knows he is not out of the woods.

Loretta will consult Monday morning in Phoenix with Dr. Don Sheridan, the hand surgeon who placed a screwlike anchor in the thumb in 2001 to reattach a ligament.

"We want to see if he can give us any recommendation," Loretta said yesterday. "After that, we'll know."

At the moment, Loretta is in limbo. He will not play this weekend. He could still go on the disabled list. The worst-case scenario is surgery that could sideline him at least three months. He missed 68 days after the 2001 surgery.

"I've been told that on the second time around for this kind of injury, they can't reattach it the same way and it's reconstruction surgery using a ligament out of your wrist," Loretta said.

"What gives me optimism is that the swelling this time has been in a different area, more in the palm. I think the palm took a lot of the force." Loretta was injured Tuesday when he slid headfirst into first base against the Braves.

Loretta said the MRI taken of the thumb "does not give a clear-cut diagnosis or prognosis. I guess the metal in there distorts the test."

Loretta is using a glove with an ultrasound current to help reduce the swelling.

"I don't know how much strength I have lost," he said. "I'm hoping it will calm down so I can play."

[washubeek]

Thanks