Jurrjens reinjuries hamstring, will remain on DL
MILWAUKEE — Jair Jurrjens’ troublesome season took another bad turn Monday when the Braves pitcher reinjured his left hamstring during a running drill at Miller Park and fell to ground in pain.
Instead of coming off the disabled list Saturday as planned, Jurrjens is out indefinitely and will be examined by Braves doctors later this week after the team returns to Atlanta.
“It popped, and it’s not the same area of the hamstring,” the right-hander said in a deflated tone. “When we get back to Atlanta I’ll get an MRI to see what’s going on.”
Jurrjens said the injury is to the lower part of the hamstring. He had been recovering from an upper-hamstring strain that knocked him out of an April 29 game at St. Louis and landed him on the DL.
“It sucks,” he said. “I was really getting a little bit excited. Everything was going well. I was thinking about asking them if I could throw a bullpen. But now … I don’t know what to think about it.”
Manager Bobby Cox said Kris Medlen will move from the bullpen to the rotation to start May 18 against the New York Mets. Because of an off day in the schedule Thursday, other Braves starters can work on regular rest until then.
Medlen filled in for Jurrjens Saturday at Philadelphia and allowed one run on nine hits in 4-1/3 innings in his first start since last season. He threw 88 pitches, twice his previous season high as a reliever.
“Medlen will be the guy,” Cox said. “He threw great.”
The Braves had planned to start Jurrjens Saturday against Arizona or May 18. Now, it’s not clear when he might be ready.
“Just get him well,” Cox said. “It may just be a minor setback. He’s had a tough go.”
Jurrjens is 0-3 with a 6.58 ERA in five starts and has been hampered by injuries since early February. He had shoulder inflammation after making an awkward throw in his native Curacao a week before reporting to spring training.
He missed two weeks of camp, then hurt a thumb when he was jammed on a pitch, an injury that hindered his fielding. Jurrjens had the worst start of his career April 12 at San Diego (3-1/3 innings, eight hits, eight runs).
He bounced back with eight strong innings against Colorado and turned in consecutive quality starts before tweaking his hamstring running a few days before the April 29 game at St. Louis.
Jurrjens was pulled from that game after one inning because he was favoring the leg, and Cox and pitching coach Roger McDowell didn’t want him to risk more serious injury from altering his delivery.
When the strain was slow to heal, he went on the disabled list, but the Braves and Jurrjens believed he would be ready after the 15-day DL stint was up.
Now, Jurrjens doesn’t know what to think. It’s all he can do to avoid acting depressed, as he was early in spring training and during the past two weeks.
“It’s frustrating, but everything happens for a reason,” said Jurrjens, who had 14 wins and a 2.60 ERA in 2009, the third-lowest ERA in the National League.
“The last couple of weeks I didn’t feel like I was part of the team. Now it seems like it’s going to take longer for me to come back. I’m just trying to keep a smile on my face and do as much as I can to help the team out while I’m on the DL.
“It could be worse. That’s the only thing — it could be worse….
“Everybody has their own issue on this team. The team’s not doing so well. For me to not be smiling, I don’t think is going to help with anything. So I’m just going to be happy, try to keep the team happy and see if we can get some W’s.”
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56 comments Add your comment
Braves One
May 10th, 2010
8:26 pm
We have the only lineup where Mario Mendoza could hit third…no make that clean up, he had a career .215 average.
Braves One
May 10th, 2010
8:31 pm
Sorry to hear about JJ, however this will give Medlin a good look. Would like to see Ventors replace KK.
By the way DOB…nice article on the Braves bunting woes. We gotta get to playing small ball as we do not have the guns for long ball.
Paul
May 10th, 2010
8:37 pm
Any chance we can send Melky back and get Javier?
shawn
May 10th, 2010
8:42 pm
Paul,
Are you being serious? Granted Melky sucks but Javy’s ERA around 10.0 anyhow, this year is coming to an end pretty fast and I do not see this team making it to palyoff.
beauvighn
May 10th, 2010
8:43 pm
Tough news for JJ..It looks like it is going to be one of those year that we talk about how all the injuries affect the season. Maybe Medlin will take advantage of this opportunity…sort of like a Wally Pipp of pitchers
Tom Stricklett
May 10th, 2010
8:50 pm
Yeah Bobby: “he threw great.” Medlen allowed only 9 hits in 4 innings. Nobody in their right mind takes you seriously anymore.
tristan
May 10th, 2010
8:53 pm
Wow, don’t run on pop fly with 2 outs. This is poor fundamentals which comes from poor coaching.
Braves One
May 10th, 2010
8:53 pm
Wow…Doug Davis comes in with an ERA over 8 and he has no-hit us thru three…Prado fails to take off from first on a two out pop up…Joe Simpson has the fortitude to say “wake up guys”… although things could change tonight and for the season, I have not seen a team this lethargic since the days of the Montreal Expos.
Chip Shot
May 10th, 2010
8:57 pm
theres a difference when javy played for us and for NY. he wanted to play for the braves, he does NOT like playing for the yanks.
Braves One
May 10th, 2010
8:58 pm
Where is Hinske? Who cares about lefty vs lefty when you are dead last and sinking fast? How about playing time from Brooks Conrad who always hustles and can at least bring some excitement and 100% effort?
RomeDawg
May 10th, 2010
8:59 pm
On the brighter side, every time you watch a Braves game you may be watching history because it is possible any pitcher could no-hit the Braves on any given night! I am trying to see my glass as half full, not half empty. Their “tag” line could be: Your 2010 Braves, History is being made!
Braves One
May 10th, 2010
9:03 pm
Coming into this game Doug Davis had given up 45 hits in only 27 innings and he is shutting us down.
RomeDawg
May 10th, 2010
9:06 pm
On the half empty note, could there be a worse job in sports than an Atlanta Braves starting pitcher? Your best ain’t good enough, even if it borders miraculous.
D.Ellis
May 10th, 2010
9:18 pm
And here is my nightly “this team is complete garbage” post.
Good Night
Still Waiting
May 10th, 2010
9:21 pm
This is getting downright embarrassing. Do the Braves even care? Do they have any desire? We’re facing a pitcher with an ERA over 8.00 and an average against of over .300 – and he looks like Cy Young against us. This isn’t major league baseball. This team doesn’t have a freaking clue. They look like a bunch of rejects. Wren, Cox, SOMEBODY – PLEASE DO SOMETHING!
Braves One
May 10th, 2010
9:23 pm
There have been hundreds of lineups offered so I will go ahead and offer mine…
2B Conrad
SS Infante
3B Prado
LF Hinske
RF Heyward
C McCann
1B Glaus
CF McLouth
SP Pitcher
eagleman
May 10th, 2010
9:23 pm
The one thing this allows for is Kimbrel to stay with the big club a little longer. I’d say throw him into the set-up role and move Saito out of it.
Braves One
May 10th, 2010
9:47 pm
Squeeze play…I love it…nice try and we need more of this.
beauvighn
May 10th, 2010
9:53 pm
Did Brian Snitker forget that BMac was the baserunner. I have noticed that Snitker has not been on top of his game this year as the third base coach. Oh yeah…Grand Salami…Maybe this is the spark that gets the fire going
Still Waiting
May 10th, 2010
10:13 pm
Well, if I had known that all it would have taken for the offense to get going was for me to whine and moan…I’d have done it a month ago. You’re welcome, Braves. And keep it up! This is more like it! But be warned – if you revert to your old ways, I will be back with a vengeance!
Matt the Brave
May 10th, 2010
10:37 pm
Man, this stinks. I really hope it’s nothing more than a strain and not a pop that makes his leg go to jelly for a year. Keep him on the DL for a while until he is FULLY healthy. There’s no reason to make him come back early since it’s looking like we’re going to be in for a long season.
Steve
May 10th, 2010
10:55 pm
Hate to say it, but it looks like the career of one of my all-time favorite Braves is coming to an end. Chipper really does need to call it a career if he’s still at .260 with around 20 HR’s and 80 RBI’s by the end of the season – he can go out with dignity and style with Cox as one of the best switch hitters in history and take his place in Cooperstown where he belongs. But don’t drag out the career unless there’s some improvement – save your team the 14 mill or so the next couple of years so we can compete again.
And what’s up with McCann – his future Hall of Fame career is in a slide, and he is way too young!
john d
May 10th, 2010
11:29 pm
Tom Stricklett your right! I haven’t taken Booby seriously for years! He’s lost control of this team. No fundamentals,mental mistakes,and complete hard headedness. The only reason I watch anymore is when Hanson pitches or Hayward is playing. I wonder if he is going to continue to bat him 6th or 7th. Isn’t that where you normally bat your best hitter?
ryan
May 11th, 2010
1:01 am
Another stupid Cox move Id leave Medlen in starting rotation and skip KK he will wait till KK is o-18 then decide not to let him lose 20.
Martin Prado Hits Braves First Grand Slam | Tomahawk Take | An Atlanta Braves Blog
May 11th, 2010
1:12 am
[...] Jurrjens reinjured his hamstring and is likely staying on the DL. Apparently, his hamstring “popped.” [...]
BB fan
May 11th, 2010
4:09 am
when is the AJC going to hire someone to keep the vents updated? what happens to all the vents submitted during these down times?
tom varacalli
May 11th, 2010
7:41 am
regarding mccann, he needs to drop about 20 or so pounds. also this vision problem is worse than he or the braves are letting on. he is late on most swings and cannot drive the ball to left-center. he’s also swinging at pitches bouncing in front of him. i guess cox will say he’s fine and continue to limit ross’s playing time.
Braves, Hanson Take Series Opener From Brewers 8-2 | Tomahawk Take | An Atlanta Braves Blog
May 11th, 2010
7:56 am
[...] just me or are the only hits Chipper gets these days of the infield variety? Also more bad news as Jair Jurrjens suffered a set back in his rehab from his injured hamstring. Instead of coming off of the DL this Saturday he will [...]
Steven Lemon
May 11th, 2010
8:04 am
Shawn; Are YOU serous??? Melky sucks here, Javier sucks in NY. Javvy was GREAT here, Melky was OK in NY, but YOU think it would suck to have Javy back? Are you one of those “blame Terry Pendleton” dudes? I guess after last night you think TP is cool?
Steven Lemon
May 11th, 2010
8:09 am
I really like the squeeze play that Bobby tried last night. It shows that he might still have a few brain cells to work with. Now, if he could just get someone to show McClouth how to EXECUTE a proper squeeze play instead of trying to bunt for a base hit who knows what the Braves could do.
Notso Fast
May 11th, 2010
8:21 am
Remember , we have too much starting pitching. No worries.
Steven Lemon
May 11th, 2010
8:26 am
To those who want to play “what if” ( Vasquez/Cabrerra, etc) I have just one thing to say:
Where would we be if we had kept Kelly Johnson and Adam LaRoche?
Mike Hampton
May 11th, 2010
8:49 am
I know what you are going thru!
JayBird
May 11th, 2010
9:02 am
McCann, McClouth, KK, Chipper, Melky, Escobar all need to be gone at season’s end if not before. McCann is not the player he was due to vision. McClouth, KK, & Melky are terrible here. Chipper needs to retire. And who are we kidding, we’ve been trying to get rid of Escobar and no one will take him. Love Bobby, but it’s time for Him, TP and McDowell to hit the road together. Bring in Maddux, Leo and someone who has proven how to get players to hit.
atlfanmike
May 11th, 2010
9:19 am
I don’t understand this fascination with getting rid of TP. I really don’t know the role of a hitting coach at the major league level… The problem with the Braves start with getting a Melky Cabrera and not a legit player with speed that can manufacture runs. Another problem is this crappy cycle of getting over the hill first basement where they have to sign minimal contracts after the Mark Teixeira disaster! Another point of my disdain is the fact that they have not worked in the farm system over the last 5 years to groom a replacement for Chipper at 3rd. You will probably never find another switch hitting all star, but his body is too broken to last more than 1/3 of the season.
Clay
May 11th, 2010
9:22 am
The Braves aren’t playing this way because they lost Kelly Johnson, LaRoche, and Vasquez. It’s because the following players are hitting way under their career averages:
McCann -51
Chipper -81
Escobar -82
McLouth -80
Melky -74
Diaz -136
All of these players have been in MLB for several years, so their career stats are legit. I wonder, in the history of MLB, have that many players on one team just stopped hitting all at once?
Clay
May 11th, 2010
9:25 am
Are you watching the games atlfanmike? That crappy first baseman is hitting now hitting his career average, and hitting about .400 in May. Just saying. . .
charles
May 11th, 2010
9:58 am
Conrad could not hit his way out of a wet paper sack! send him down and bring up Thurston!
atlfanmike
May 11th, 2010
10:00 am
Clay, you are right. He has picked his game up. I’m pointing to the fact that ATL is not developing the first base position and relying on guys to recapture their career averages. I don’t know if he will keep it up and I understand that its a long season. But I know for a fact that in 2011 or 2012 we will be looking for another first basement to sit in the clean up spot. Anderson was the example last year and Glaus lost an entire year of playing baseball in 2009.
Marc in FL
May 11th, 2010
10:03 am
Just to note, keeping KJ wouldn’t have solved any problems; he’s still hitting .237 away from that sandbox of a park over there in Arizona. He must be on a good streak though cause his away AVG was below .150 just a week or so ago and he has 3 homers on the road when he had none last I checked. I’d be willing to bet his away numbers stay around .250 AVG .650 OPS this year.
We all know from first hand experience he is an extremely streaky hitter, to the point of a .400 month and following it up with a .180 month; that’s just the kind of hitter he is. I’ll still take Prado’s consistency.
Marc in FL
May 11th, 2010
10:06 am
atlfanmike, you do realize everyone of the planet expects Freddie Freeman to take over as our 1B after this year, right?
Brownie
May 11th, 2010
10:20 am
76-54…..that’s what the Braves will have to go the rest of the way to possibly make the playoffs (90 wins). Do they have what it takes (c’mon be real) to do that?? I am not seeing it. But it’s too early to panic with any stupid trades (and nobody is trading yet anyway).
They’ll know more by the break, and I’m guessing they’ll still be under .500 and that would end their playoff hopes again this year. ASSUMING that will be the scenario, what should mgmt do at that time?
1. Be buyers before trade deadline? NO. Bringing Pujols and the ghost of Mickey Mantle wouldn’t make the difference.
2. Be sellers? MAYBE, but only if the deals are very strong – don’t sell just to dump payroll for this year.
3. Sit tight? Probable result.
IF they elect to sell, who would we likely see gone? First off, any team looking to bring in an IMPACT player at the deadline is typically looking for only one of 2 positions: big bat and/or starting pitcher (preferably a #3 or better). The Braves really have no big bats, so you can forget about that. And of all the position players (understanding that Mac, Heyward and Prado are untouchable) the only potential trade value player the Braves have is Yunel. World class talent, 10 cent attitude. Question of the day: will the new manager be able to get Escobar to come around quickly (remember they’ll have to start paying him real money in the near future)? OR do you make a deal to bring in an up and comer at a need position? Yunel seems to have only 1 person on the team he even talks to and that’s the bench coach Chino. When Bobby retires at years end, so does Chino, which leaves Yunel even more depressed than ever.
Note: we don’t need to take in older castoffs with expiring contracts – let’s acknowledge what we should have said a couple years ago: the Braves are rebuilding. Bring in top minor league talent.
The other tradeable option would be a starter, and with JJ and Hanson not going anywhere, that leaves only Hudson as viable trade bait. Again, unless the deal is incredible I don’t let him go. In a couple of years our pitching staff will be lights out (JJ, Hanson, Medlin, Viscaino, Teheran, etc.) and they’ll need a veteran presence.
So, it looks like we’ll sit tight. Enjoy the season.
One last issue: please don’t name TP the new manager. He hasn’t earned it. New blood, lots of new players coming up – could be fun in a couple of years.
Brownie
May 11th, 2010
10:33 am
Sorry for my last novel-length post, but I’ve got another point to spew out. The new manager in ‘11 will likely have his own list of coaches to bring in with him, but I would like to see him keep Eddie Perez who I think will make a great bench coach shortly. And I like McDowell’s work with this staff.
But, at year’s end the Braves must find a way to get Chipper to retire (just like they found a classy, subtle way to get Bobby to announce his retirement). I believe the answer will be to name him hitting coach for next year. The man knows as much about hitting (from both sides) as anyone, and studies pitchers religiously…he just can’t do it physically anymore. He also has great knowledge of opponents current pitching staffs, so the transition will be quick and effective.
If the new manager gets rid of McDowell, how about either Smoltz or Glavine?
Billy
May 11th, 2010
10:42 am
Medlin should be in the rotation and put Kenshin in the bullpen.
atlfanmike
May 11th, 2010
10:54 am
Brownie, I think you nailed it. I’m for keeping Escobar if possible because he is such a great weapon on the field (when he gives 100%). I’m really not interested in seeing a team that can squeak in as a Wild Card and getting thumped in the first round of the playoffs. Likewise, I really don’t want to see Hudson leave since he has nicely returned to his #1 starter form. But, we must think about the young talent that we have and if a contending team is willing to part with a high prospect to win now, then a trade must be considered (aka being Sellers in ‘10).
Also, the fact that players have gone to other organizations and personal hitting coaches say a lot about TP’s ability to connect with the players.
Marc – We’re talking about bringing up another 20 – 21 year old to face big league pitching. Freeman has just started seeing AAA pitching this year and the big league club will need to still fill in the huge void of power that will be missing with Chipper and/or Glaus not being a factor.
Realistically I am optimistic that we are where Tampa Bay and Philadelphia were with their prospects before they started making a run. Hayward, Hanson, Prado, McCain (hopefully he will get his eyes taken care of), JJ (if he can get well during his DL stint), Escobar, and Moylan are all solid players with up side.
atlfanmike
May 11th, 2010
11:05 am
Brownie, as crazy as it sounds I think Glavine has the demeanor to manage this team. However, I think it may be best to get him in the dugout as an assistant coach until he has a little more experience.
Marc in FL
May 11th, 2010
11:21 am
If Melky and Diaz continue to struggle, one would think Hinske would get some starts, especially since his defensive numbers are as good if not better then the other two in LF.
Seems like the obvious solution to me, but we’ll probably trade for a Dejesus or someone. Not that a trade like that would be all bad, Dejesus is a solid player, but Hinske could easily handle the everyday LF assignment. I’m also wondering if there is something wrong with him or if he crossed Bobby.
Brownie
May 11th, 2010
11:35 am
AtlfanMike – great point on Glavine. He’s got everything needed to succeed, but does he have the desire (seems to want to spend time with the family AND/OR join Braves in some front office capacity).
One thing we always heard about Glav when he was playing here: no nonsense, come to work, not afraid to get in other players grill, etc. The only knock would be no experience, but if he brought in a strong bench coach he should be fine. Plus in a couple years as I noted earlier, the Braves pitching should be top notch, and I like having a HOF pitcher managing that staff.
01HAWK
May 11th, 2010
11:49 am
Can anyone imagine if we would have gotten Ken Griffey JR. last year. He has been terrible and was asleep in the clubhouse whn they wanted him to pinch hit. Good move he made not to come to Atlanta. It is always difficult to release a HALL of FAMER.
CHIPPER……………………..Are you listening ? Please RETIRE !!!!!!!!!!
Report: Ken Griffey Jr. to retire or be released sometime this month
Mon May 10,2010 3:09 PM ET By Craig Calcaterra
A pretty major story from Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News-Tribune in which it is reported that the Seattle Mariners will soon urge Ken Griffey, Jr. to retire, and if he doesn’t they’ll release him, most likely this month.
LaRue says “the end is near” for Griffey. The reasons: For one thing, obvious lack of performance. He’s at .205/.265/.234 in 77 at-bats this season with only two extra-base hits and zero home runs. The man simply can’t hit anymore, as it’s plain to anyone who can read a stat sheet or watch a baseball game. This, of course, is not shocking. More shocking:
Last week, when some members of the press corps asked manager Don Wakamatsu why he hadn’t used Griffey as a pinch hitter for Rob Johnson late in a game, Waskamatsu was vague.
Two Mariners players, however, weren’t. Both are younger players, fond of Griffey. Neither had an ax to grind.
So why didn’t Wakamatsu go to Junior off the bench.
“He was asleep in the clubhouse,” one player said. “He’d gone back about the fifth inning to get a jacket and didn’t come back. I went back in about the seventh inning – and he was in his chair, sound asleep.”
Paul in Richmond
May 11th, 2010
1:51 pm
Brownie – I share your enthusiasm but I disagree on a couple points: 1) bringing up minor league talent would mean we would have to COACH that talent. Currently we don’t coach. We just arrange batting orders and yell at umpires. That is why the whole team cannot do fundamentals, is always injured and whining and swings as bad pitches. 2) Chipper needs to get as far away from this club as possible. He has been the “leader” that has produced no fire and no lightning for over 14 years. He is a sleeply, lackadasical player with lots of talent who is content with putting in his time and going home. I would rather see Smoltz as a hitting coach!
Roger
May 11th, 2010
2:30 pm
Enter your comments here
Brownie
May 11th, 2010
4:37 pm
Paul, good points, but for what it’s worth: I assume you’re referring to Bobby’s mgmt/coaching style, and he’ll be retired/”working” the minor leaguers next year. Whoever the new manager is he’ll bring a change in style and philosophy which will be very welcome.
Regarding Chipper as hitting coach, I still think he’d be perfect in that role. You don’t need enthusiasm, you need knowledge/ability to communicate it/respect of the players, and he has all of that in spades.
I really don’t think he’s got much left physically, and only risks sullying his reputation and chances for the HOF by sticking around a couple more years. IF he wants to stay involved in baseball, then it will be as a hitting coach – best fit would be here.
San Fran Ryan
May 12th, 2010
12:46 am
Wow. Bobby does the unthinkable and plays Hinske for a change? With “out of the box” thinking like that, we might offer him to stick around a little longer. Why do I feel like a genius when I think playing guys who actually hit when they step into the batter’s box deserve some playing time and AB’s?
bowilly
May 12th, 2010
1:11 am
Glad to see bats waking up. Just had a thought, wouldn’t it be Great if HOF waved five year waiting period and bring all three Maddox, Glavine and Smoltz in together?
houstonbraves
May 12th, 2010
12:40 pm
76-54? that possible if we get a good 3rd starter. having only 2 legit starters won’t cut it. this seasons fate could rest on the Jurrgens injury. think about this.the way i see it is the braves are only 3 back on the WC leader right now. of course, if SD keeps it up things look grim but what are the odds of SD winning 85+ games? they are young and will start to fizz by the break. braves play mets enough that they can catch them and anyone else in the east. altho, i think the mets will hold strong for the season. the reds might just be the team to beat out.
Who is Kris Medlen | Free Fantasy Magazine
May 24th, 2010
11:44 am
[...] Jurrjens has been on the DL since late April with a hammy-injury. During a running-drill in Milwaukee in mid-May, Jurrjens reinjured the hamstring and the time-table is up in the air. [...]