Kelvim Escobar injures back in start

[StarsNPinstripes]

From Rotoworld:

Kelvim Escobar left Saturday's game in the third inning with a strain in the lower left side of his back.

Escobar gave up one earned run and three hits in 2 2/3 innings before departing. He'll be examined tomorrow before a decision is made on his status for the second game of the regular season. If Escobar needs to join Bartolo Colon and Jered Weaver on the DL, the Angels have Joe Saunders, Hector Carrasco and Dustin Moseley all in the rotation.Mar. 24 - 6:08 pm et

[The Big Train]

TEMPE, Ariz. — His surgically repaired right elbow has felt great all spring, and the tendinitis in his left knee hasn't bothered him of late, but a new issue popped onto pitcher Kelvim Escobar's medical chart Saturday.

The Angels right-hander was pulled from an 11-1 exhibition loss to Colorado because of a strain in the lower left side of his back, an injury he sustained lunging for Kazuo Matsui's third-inning grounder.

Escobar threw one warmup pitch and told Manager Mike Scioscia he could continue, but with Bartolo Colon and Jered Weaver opening the season on the disabled list and Scioscia not wanting to risk further injury, Escobar was removed for precautionary reasons.

"It scared me," Escobar said. "When I felt it, I thought, 'Wow, I pulled it.' But everything is OK. They think it was just a back spasm."

After stretching and receiving massage therapy, Escobar's back was already feeling better. He expects to make his next scheduled start, against the Dodgers in the Freeway Series opener Thursday night, and to be ready for the second game of the regular season against Texas on April 3.

"Any time a pitcher is holding that area, you're worried about a rib-cage injury, which can really set you back, but that doesn't appear to be the case," Scioscia said. "We'll have time to get him where he needs to be."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/ ... mlb-angels

[Joe LaCock]

I am addicted to Kelvim Escobar. I pick him late in almost every draft and keep a spot on the DL warm for him!! Joe

[schmidty]

I am addicted to Kelvim Escobar. I pick him late in almost every draft and keep a spot on the DL warm for him!! Joe

Me too! And suffering with him last year and his 1001 mystery ailments, I swore not to repeat that mistake. Then this year, he drops to me late in the draft, I need another SP, and think "Well, I like his ERA/WHIP/K projections and he did make 30 starts last year" and pull the trigger again.

[The Big Train]

Kelvim Escobar (back) said he anticipated being ready to make his April 3 start against the Rangers after Dr. Lewis Yocum cleared him to return.

Manager Mike Scioscia is holding off judgment until Escobar, who's 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA in 11 spring innings, delivers 90 to 100 pitches in a camp game Thursday. Hector Carrasco and Dustin Moseley are in line to join the rotation if Escobar does miss time.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... 849&spln=1

[BitterDodgerFan]

felt like we went too long without a kelvim injury. now thats the kelvim we all know!