Cesar Izturis to 15-Day DL
Baltimore infielder Cesar Izturis has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Taking Izturis' place on the roster is reliever Jason Berken, recalled out of AAA Norfolk.
This has to be frustrating for both Izturis and the team, as Izturis only just came off the post-elbow surgery DL last week and had barely played two games before straining his groin. In 18 games on the season, Izturis is hitting .200 / .250 / .450 with 6 hits and 4 runs.
Jason Berken is 1-2 for Baltimore this year, with 37.1 innings pitched and a 6.27 ERA. Zrebiec notes that Berken has seen some improvement in Norfolk, where the righty has earned a 3.50 ERA in 4 starts.
Placido Polanco Has Sports Hernia, May Require Surgery
Thirty-five year old Placido Polanco has a chronic sports hernia according to the MRI he had today and may require surgery, reports Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. This follows an early exit on Saturday's Phillies-Giants game due to a sore hip and could mean a 3 week or greater absence, assuming an injection will carry him through the end of the season.
Ruben Amaro Jr. has stated that the Phillies will not look for outside help and will instead use Michael Martinez and Wilson Valdez for the remainder of the season. Polanco's .275 / .330 / .342 line will be missed, as Martinez's .265 OBP and Valdez .284 OBP make it all but certain that Philly will see an overall downgrade without Polanco.