Reds Insider: Gonzo out at least 3 weeks (update)

Friday, February 29, 2008

Gonzo out at least 3 weeks (update)

SS Alex Gonzalez's MRI revealed a compression fracture of his left knee. He will be evaluated again in three weeks.

He's crutches and will be unable to do anything baseball-related until he's re-evaluated.

The injury is suffered from landing wrong. It is not related to last year's injury. It's a different spot.

Dusty Baker on who replaces him: "(Jeff) Keppinger is one of the guys. He played well there last year. (Paul) Janish, (Adam) Rosales, (Juan) Castro. We're going to look at a lot guys."

65 Comments:

at 12:31 PM

Anonymous said...

How does a professional athlete come to training camp with a fracture? With what we went through last year with him in and out of the line up (mostly out), we might as well refer to him as Milton-jr.

at 12:31 PM

Manda said...

Great, well not great (never want anyone to be hurt), but now Kepp will get a fair shake.

at 12:33 PM

Anonymous said...

John, you think this makes Keppinger the everyday shortstop until Gonzo is better?

at 12:34 PM

Anonymous said...

Well, If Kepp starts and plays well, how can you defend giving the spot back to Gonzo?

Or does "don't lose your place due to injury' come in play?

at 12:37 PM

Anonymous said...

this is just a guess, but like Freel, Kepp will show why he's not an everyday player (or shortstop). I hope he does well in Gonzo's stead, but I will be happy when Alex is ready to return to short.

at 12:38 PM

Anonymous said...

John-

If in a couple weeks it looks like Alex's injury is more serious, and he would miss a month or so of the season would you think the Reds would consider having Brandon Phillips cover short and use a Keppinger/Freel combo at 2nd base?

I feel that would be a better setup defensively if it is going to be a long-term injury. If it is just going to be a week or two of the season, I'd leave BP at 2nd.

--Kyle

at 12:47 PM

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, I wouldnt mess with BP even if Gonzo never comes back. Other than Harang, hes the best thing going for us right now. I think he would do fine, but I'm not crazy about trading a known (BP @ 2b) for an unknown (BP @ SS).

Kev in FM

at 12:49 PM

Bruce Almighty said...

john, do you think Dusty would go with Paul Janish instead of Kepp at SS if Gonzalez is going to be out for a while?

at 12:50 PM

Tyler W. said...

Brandon Phillips to SS even after Gonzales comes back. Maybe 2B would be a little easier on Gonzales.

at 12:52 PM

Mr. Redlegs said...

C'mon, move Phillips? Don't you know the immortal Jerry Gil is ready to assume a roster spot now? He can run, he can throw, he can play many positions, he's got the tools. Jeeez.

at 12:59 PM

Anonymous said...

This is spring training. In 3 weeks, it'll still be spring training.

No one is a regular anything in spring training games.

If anything, maybe we'll be able to try out a few other options more regularly, and who can play a credible SS.

Please though, don't let this be a reason that Juan Castro makes the Opening Day roster... or even... gasp... the Opening Day starting lineup, at SS???

at 1:00 PM

Will T. said...

If Gonzo goes on the DL to start the season, I really hope that they let Janish back up Kepp for a while. I think that he could be a good player for the team. It seems like a logical choice though, to give Castro the job. In my opinion, without this injury Castro wouldn't have made the team.

at 1:08 PM

RED-VOLUTION said...

Sewason is 5 weeks away.

at 1:09 PM

John Fay said...

Too early to say. Dusty will address it after the game, I'm sure. My guess is they won't move Phillips. Keppinger will play if Gonzalez can't start the season. Three weeks puts him pretty close to Opening Day.

at 1:10 PM

Anonymous said...

12:37 anon you mean like he did for the entire second half of the season last year?

Keppinger is a hitting machine

Nurse Julie loves this guy and also Josh Fogg and she knows baseball

at 1:11 PM

RED-VOLUTION said...

Janish is all field no hit. Minor league average is .255. He has one good spring training game and people want to put him on the 25 man roster incredible!

at 1:12 PM

Anonymous said...

Hey John-

Did they say what they were doing to treat the injury?

at 1:14 PM

Anonymous said...

depending on location..and as benign as this sounds a compression fracture of the knee can end a career

at 1:15 PM

Anonymous said...

Keppinger played a huge chunk of the second half last year and played very well. I don't get the hold up giving him the fulltime job. He filled in Admirably and deserves the shot to hold the job down. Gonzo might have a slight edge defensively but Keppinger is the better offensive player. Its a wash.

at 1:21 PM

Anonymous said...

Defense is ALWAYS above offense in baseball, especially up the middle.
Janish looks smoother in the field than Keppinger, I think they should get an equal shot at the SS job.

Someone needs to hold it until the real SS gets healthy.

at 1:22 PM

Anonymous said...

No Castro, no Janish, Keppinger plays short and Freel is the "super sub". Ease Gonzo back in over the first couple of weeks.

Yes in 3 weeks it will still be spring training...

..for one more week.

No way Gonzo gts enough reps and at bats for Dusty to start him opening day.

Look for gonzo to have a tough fight back, maybe mid April before he's 1st on depth chart again.

Thats if Kepp is not playing like he did end of last year.

I know Dusty likes Gonzo, but if Kepp (and the Reds) are playing well (over .500 to start the season) he may have a tough decision to make.

I know thats a tall order, (Reds open against ARI, PHI, MIL, and CHI) but if they do.....

Kevin in FM

at 1:25 PM

Anonymous said...

"Defense is ALWAYS above offense in baseball, especially up the middle"

is this why the reds played so well with gonzo out last year?

again.. a compression fracture of the knee may sound minor..it aint..it can become quite a chronic problem for someone that relies on his legs like Gonzales

at 1:30 PM

Anonymous said...

Defense is always above offense?

Ever hear the baseball cliche "if you can hit, theyll find a place for you"?

Even the best deffensive team in the world cant win a game 0 to 0. That doesnt mean you play somebody like Ryan Howard in center field or short, but Keppinger isnt that much of a drop off from Gonzales. The #s just dont support that.

-Kevin in Ft Myers

at 1:31 PM

Will T. said...

Hey Red-Volution, if you look at the fact that guys like Adam Everett and Juan Castro can make 25 man rosters year after year. Why is it such a stretch to see a defensive specialist like Janish on a 25-Man roster? Bench players are not only there for pinch hitting duties, they are also there for late inning defensive replacements. Why not give the guy a chance, he is one of the better fielders the Reds have at spring training.

at 1:38 PM

Anonymous said...

BY KEITH T. REED | KREED@ENQUIRER.COM
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The developers of The Banks will announce this afternoon that they have secured all $74 million needed to finance the first phase of construction, clearing the way for an April 2 groundbreaking on the project.

at 1:40 PM

Anonymous said...

WilT,

ALOT of guys make rosters every year, that doesnt mean they can start. Thats the discussion here, whos going to start. Lets stick to legitimate candidates please.

K in FM

at 1:43 PM

Anonymous said...

Thank god, theyre finally going to do something with that hole in the ground that has been a blemish on the face of the city for far too long.

K in FM

at 1:45 PM

Anonymous said...

LOLOLTHE DISCUSSION WAS GONZALEES INJURIES NOT STARTING WHOS NOT STARTING.PAY ATTENTION PLEASE FIRE WKY ANGRY DAYTON@@@@@^^^&&^$%$

at 1:45 PM

Will T. said...

If I recall, MY arguement was made that he could BACKUP Kepp for a little while. So MY discussion was about a backup. If you would like you can go back and read my post. Thanks, K.

at 1:45 PM

Anonymous said...

they are starting the Banks ..wonderful

at 1:51 PM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

LOL, Is this the same knee that was giving him trouble last season? Sounds like another fine job by Dr Krackhead and staff.

at 1:51 PM

Anonymous said...

Backup?

at 1:53 PM

Will T. said...

Yea, Backup. You know, (reserve, bench player, replacement, second string.) It's a term used in sports quite a bit.

at 1:53 PM

Anonymous said...

cheviot.. think chris perry..those compression fractures never heal completely and end careers

looks like keppeinger may get a shot

at 1:57 PM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

Out 3 weeks, that could turn into 3 years the way the Reds medical staff evaluates injuries. I know Griffey's day to day ailments usually turn into month to month.

at 1:59 PM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

Actually, believe it or not, I know nothing about compression fractures.

at 2:03 PM

Anonymous said...

Will, no offense, but your the onlyone whos talking about a backup when the starter hasnt been decided yet.

K in FM

at 2:04 PM

Anonymous said...

Does the Keppinger love fest make anyone else sick?

at 2:05 PM

Will T. said...

Let's see, if Gonzalez is put on the DL, like I stated earlier, it is probably safe to assume that Kepp is the starter. Why not think about reserves? They are an important part of a team. This is a blog, ok. Anyone can post anything they want to. All it takes is a few people to mouth to make a blog rediculous. I stated my opinion. If you do not like it, OH WELL!

at 2:07 PM

Anonymous said...

Is wanting our best available option to play short a lovefest?

K in FM

at 2:10 PM

Anonymous said...

keppinger reminds me of pete rose the way he plays the game.. a real player

at 2:14 PM

Anonymous said...

Will,

My apologies if I have upset you.

It is true I misread your post, I just didnt expect it to be slightly off topic, when put in the context of previous posts.

Of course you can post what you want, just be open to the fact that we all comment on each others posts, please dont be offended if someone makes a comment you dont like.

Im not upset, you shouldnt be either.

Kevin in Ft Myers

at 2:15 PM

Anonymous said...

I think the Banks Projects initial construction begins next to GABC then moves west towards PBS.. Its gonna be a mess down there for a while . But I cant wait to see the results..Julie and I are tired of looking at the "hole"

at 2:16 PM

Anonymous said...

KEVIN IN FT MEYERS DONT YIOU WORK OR HAVE A JOB MAN U TAKE THIS BLOG TOO
SERIOUSLY MANN TAKE A BREAK MAN FIRE WK ANGRY IN DAYTON @###@##@##

at 2:20 PM

Will T. said...

That's fine man, and you are right. People will comment about our postings, some people just act like jerks about it though. And from what I understood, the topic was Gonzo out three weeks. In my opinion, that is a roster spot (obviously). The posting never said anything about about starters, it just mentioned his injury. Kepp is the obvious choice for starter, so now you need a backup. And it might not matter if Gonzo can get back without DL Time.

at 2:21 PM

Will T. said...

Oh, and before I am asked about being at work, I am at work. I have an easy job and am trying to make it through college. Don't get personal with postings like that. The same thing can be said about you, Dont you have a job?

at 2:24 PM

Anonymous said...

I do have a job, a good one, cant you tell? Im actually making money right now!

I think you may not take it seriously enough, as you have ignored many requests by numerous posters to turn your caps lock off.

Now, back to baseball!

Kev in FM

at 2:29 PM

Anonymous said...

KEVIN ANY PERSON WITH ANY IMPORTANT JOB CAOULD NOT POST 12 EVERDAY WQUIOT LYING KEVIN WE KNOW BETTERLOLOLOLOL

ANGRY IN DAYTON FIRE WK@@##$$@@##$

at 2:33 PM

Anonymous said...

Dayton, interesting point of view on the Reds, I dont think anyone else has mentioned that, or put it so intelligently.

K FM

at 2:34 PM

Anonymous said...

If anyone should be fired its the Reds' medical staff. How much are they costing us? I really don't know but we have had more than our share of what appears to be medical malfucntion...

AGon -- how is this not caught last September?

Majewski -- everybody blames Kriv for this...I don't

Eddie G...another pitcher suddenly comes up with arm troubles. Bad luck? Maybe....maybe not.

Milton, Wilson, Hamilton, Haynes and other injured pitchers ... maybe the medical staff didn't have anything to do with their injuries, but it seems like we could do a better job of knowing where we stand instead of just keep throwing them out there and basing the diagnosis on on-the-field failure.

Griffey...many, many problems. Remember the one year that they kept him active for I think at least 45 days saying he was day to day and only pinch hitting him a couple of times? He finally went on the DL.

Many of our minor league pitchers have been injured over the past few years. Again, maybe not the fault of med staff, but what if they were told they were OK to pitch, when they really weren't.

I'm sure there are other incidents that I can't think of right off the top of my head.

Something smells fishy here. This really needs to be looked into!!!

at 2:35 PM

Anonymous said...

Kevin's not posting with "caps lock" on. That's just what happens when he posts from the Commodore 64 in his mom's basement.

at 2:50 PM

Anonymous said...

the only time janish hasnt hit was this past season but still is recognized having the best eye. he has shown he can hit most of his career. had a great hitting pre-saeson last year with reds. with the best glove, he is my clear first choice for SS. With Castro hitting .181 last year, you wonder who makes these decisions.

at 3:30 PM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

Castro was good enough to pinch hit for Josh Hamilton last season. Of course that was only because Wayne Krivsky was too stubborn or stupid to fire Jerry Narron before the season got completely away.

at 3:35 PM

Kyle said...

If Alex Gonzalez isn't ready for opening day, does anybody think that Paul Janish has a chance of beating out Juan Castro for the roster opening?

at 3:38 PM

Anonymous said...

I think everytime people get all worked up over Jeff Keppinger they should remember another player that came in and was going to be the next great thing. His name was Chris Stynes.

at 3:57 PM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

3:38. Very astute observation. It has only been put on here 1347 times before and it has been a stupid statement every time.

at 4:07 PM

Anonymous said...

It may have been put out here but what makes it stupid? Just because Stynes bounced around, came to the Reds, had a great half a season was rewarded with a starting job and sucked. Not saying it will happen but there is usually a reason guys don't get to the majors until they are 27 or 28 and why they don't stay long after that.

at 4:09 PM

Anonymous said...

cheviot..good post

stynes cannot hit as well as keppinger..end of story

at 4:24 PM

Anonymous said...

Although you probably are right that Stynes isn't the overall hitter Keppinger "appears" to be these numbers look alot alike you must admit.

SEASON TEAM G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
1997 Cincinnati Reds 49 198 31 69 7 1 6 28 96 11 13 11 2 .394 .485 .348
2007 Cincinnati Reds 67 241 39 80 16 2 5 32 115 24 12 2 1 .400 .477 .332

at 4:29 PM

Grizzlyfox said...

In Chris Stynes first season with more than 116 ABs, Stynes hit .348 with a .394 obp, .485 SLG, 6 HR, 28RBI, 31 Runs, and only 13 K's in 198 ABs. In Jeff Keppinger's first season with more 116 AB's, he hit .332, .400 OBP, .477 SLG, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 39 R, 2 SB, and 12 K's in 241 ABs.
More comparison between these guys:The breakout seasons mentioned above both came in these guys' 3rd years of MLB experience. In their first two years of experience Stynes was a .260 hitter, and Kepp a .278 hitter. In their first 5 years in the minors, Stynes was a .302 hitter while Kepp was a .315 hitter. And on an irrelevant note they both spent their second MLB season on the Royals roster.
Stop being ignorant of facts when refuting comparisons.

at 5:09 PM

Anonymous said...

John, please don't let Dusty place a call to Neifi Perez . . . he's still available . .

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3266960

at 6:46 PM

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much Cheviot Sports Authority for bringing up the fact that Castro pinch hitted for Hamilton last year. I had successfully blocked that from my memory after 3 months of therapy and NOW IT'S BACK!!

Castro to be polite should retire and I don't think he'll make this team - at least he should not.

I seriously doubt that Gonzo will start or even play on opening day. I agree that it will likely be mid-late April before he's up to speed if then. But who am I?

Looks to me like it's Keppinger's job to lose and I don't see anyone taking that from him. Here's his chance to prove his worth the first few weeks of the season. Let's see if he can keep that BA up there. I here that nurse Julie is high on Kep and I trust her eye.

at 7:06 PM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

Sorry Red Faced. But I hate to pass up a shot at Krivsky.

at 8:25 PM

Anonymous said...

Sorry but I can't help doing a happy dance at the thought of Keppinger being our starting shortstop.

How does a pro ballplayer come to training camp with a fractured knee? Something smacks of carelessness or unprofessional approach to preparing for the season. Was this a skiing accident? Or a motorbike wreck or something that Gonzo isn't supposed to do?

Don't tell me he hurt his knee playing golf or eating at Graeter's!

I have nothing against Gonzo personally and I hope he has a great life after baseball but I just can't stand the thought of him being in the way of Keppinger being a starter.

So.

Happy Dance! X 1,000

at 8:31 PM

Anonymous said...

Oh nooooooooooooo! Does this mean that Gonzo's blazing speed will be lost?

There goes our running game!

Previous Posts

Friday, February 29, 2008

Gonzo out at least 3 weeks (update)

65 Comments: