Here are some of the bits of information from the press conference with Rockies head trainer Keith Dugger prior to the Rockies game on Saturday.
- NO – NO – spinal cord damage.
- Dugger was in contact with Rolando Fernandez, Senior Director of International Scouting for the Rockies, throughout the night last night to help update Juan Nicasio’s parents.
- Esmil Rogers was also key in communicating back to Nicasio’s parents.
- The C1 vertebrae was fractured and Nicasio was coherent enough to participate in the decision to have surgery. It was either surgery, a halo or a neck brace but the doctors, trainers and Nicasio decided the best option was immediate surgery if he wants to pitch again.
- Nicasio was apparently conscience the entire time and was perfectly aware of his situation and even recalled exactly what pitch he threw to Ian Desmond before being struck with the baseball.
- Nicasio has mobility and Dugger said he could probably walk if he was allowed. He is heavily sedated to keep him calm and he has sat up in bed, briefly, and said “Duggie” (Dugger’s nickname) before laying back down. His grip strength is exceptional, according to Dugger.
- Nicasio entered surgery around midnight and the doctor came out of surgery around 4:30am. All went well.
- Dugger is not calling the injury career threatening at this time but cannot say for sure. In about six weeks he believes they will start physical therapy and when they begin testing Nicasio’s range of motion they will know more. Best case scenario is that Nicasio is pitching in Spring Training 2012 and starting for the Rockies in 2012, according to Dugger.
- Nicasio was stable while at the hospital but in critical condition.
- Dugger said this is the “peak” of injuries in baseball and it cannot get worse.
My take on this is that the club is very thankful Nicasio is OK and they are all praying and holding out hope that he will be back with the team pitcher in 2012, but no one will know for sure until at least six weeks and probably not until sometime mid-winter.
Greg Reynolds was recalled from AAA to replace Nicasio on the 25-man roster. He is currently in Denver and uniform and taking part in pregame activities with the team.
To make room for Carlos Gonzalez on the 25-man roster Ryan Spilborghs was put on the 15-day disabled list with plantar fasciitis in his right heel.
Loading ...
Loading tweets...
6 comments
Forsythe P Jones
August 6, 2011 at 4:36 PM (UTC -6)
Best of luck to him. I would think that this is something that he can return from, but it will take some time. The team should definitely plan on him not being part of their plans next season; if he is, that’s a bonus, but they shouldn’t expect it.
What a sad scene that all was. Tulo looked like he wanted to cry on the field. Is this all some sort of karmic payback for the 2007 W.S. run? Admittedly many of the team’s problems are self-inflicted, but some of this stuff is just bizarre. I really hope that Juan is able to recover nicely, and continue his career, as he shows a lot of talent and it’d be a shame for that to be cut short because of a fluke accident, as it is for any body who has that happen to them.
Travis Lay
August 6, 2011 at 5:07 PM (UTC -6)
I dont think the Rockies have done anything, ever, to warrant any kind of karma talk around what happened last night. It is just an unfortunate part of the game that happens about once a year around baseball and this time it happened in Colorado. It is the second time it has happened with Tracy on the bench, he spoke of his time in LA and when Kazuhisa Ishii was hit by a line drive in 2002.
Simone
August 6, 2011 at 5:45 PM (UTC -6)
What a sh!tty sh!tty year this has been for the Rockies pitchers.
I say the Rockies just forfeit the rest of the year so that nobody else like Tulo, Cargo, or Chacin really get hurt.
Forsythe P Jones
August 6, 2011 at 6:14 PM (UTC -6)
Well, obviously I don’t think it’s a ‘karmic moment’ but it’s definitely been a season where just about everything that can go wrong has.
Logan Burdine
August 7, 2011 at 7:39 AM (UTC -6)
Just glad the kid isn’t paralyzed. Baseball seems secondary at this point.
With that said, I bet we see him back on the mound at some point. Who knows when that will be and if he’ll even resemble his previous self.
Frustrating year capped by a truly terrible life event. That was the worst thing I’ve ever seen happen on a baseball diamond. I’m still upset about it.
Mo Broussard
June 3, 2012 at 12:24 PM (UTC -6)
Just wondering which Keith Dugger this is…the one that I knew back in Yuba City? If not, sorry.