Appearing embarrassed and uncomfortable, John Bale apologized Monday for punching a door and breaking his pitching hand. "I'd like to apologize first of all to the Royals organization, my teammates, my coaching staff, for my action. It was uncalled for," Bale said. "It was, you know, a moment of frustration and I wish I could do anything I could to take it back. But I can't." Exactly why Bale slammed his hand into a door in his hotel room in Cleveland on Friday remained a mystery. After issuing a brief statement in front of his locker Monday, the left-hander walked away without taking questions. Royals manager Trey Hillman later said "no comment" when asked if he knew what had been bugging the pitcher, who was probably headed to the bullpen after coming back from the disabled list for shoulder fatigue. (Updated 05/05/2008).
Injury Report
Shoulder, hand - 15-day DL. Out until at least late June (Updated - 5/4/08)
Fantasy Analysis
Bale had looked quite good while throwing the ball in the bullpen earlier Friday. Before Bale went back to the hotel and punched himself deeper onto the DL, Hillman had said Bale might be ready to rejoin the club this week. Now he will be gone for perhaps two months with a broken hand. One reason for his anger may have been news that rookie Luke Hochevar was going to replace him in the starting rotation. In three starts, Bale is 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA. Hochevar was called up when Bale went out with the shoulder and is 2-1, 4.86 ERA. Now Bale can only sit and stew while healing what X-rays indicated was a fracture on the side of the left hand. As a middle reliever, Bale has zero Fantasy appeal. He didn't have much as a starter, as badly as he struggled. (Updated 05/05/2008).
Bale, already on the disabled list due to a tight shoulder, broke his pitching hand punching a door at the team's hotel Friday night. (Updated 05/04/2008)
Advice
A club spokesman said Bale informed team officials he had pain in his hand after arriving at Progressive Field for Saturday night's game against Cleveland. X-rays were taken during the game, revealing the fracture on the side of his hand. Bale returned to Kansas City Sunday morning. He will be examined by team doctors, possibly as early as Monday. Ironically, he was making progress with his shoulder problem and it was hoped he would come off the DL in the next few days.
Appearing embarrassed and uncomfortable, John Bale apologized Monday for punching a door and breaking his pitching hand. "I'd like to apologize first of all to the Royals organization, my teammates, my coaching staff, for my action. It was uncalled for," Bale said. "It was, you know, a moment of frustration and I wish I could do anything I could to take it back. But I can't." Exactly why Bale slammed his hand into a door in his hotel room in Cleveland on Friday remained a mystery. After issuing a brief statement in front of his locker Monday, the left-hander walked away without taking questions. Royals manager Trey Hillman later said "no comment" when asked if he knew what had been bugging the pitcher, who was probably headed to the bullpen after coming back from the disabled list for shoulder fatigue. (Updated 05/05/2008).
Injury Report
Shoulder, hand - 15-day DL. Out until at least late June (Updated - 5/4/08)
Fantasy Analysis
Bale had looked quite good while throwing the ball in the bullpen earlier Friday. Before Bale went back to the hotel and punched himself deeper onto the DL, Hillman had said Bale might be ready to rejoin the club this week. Now he will be gone for perhaps two months with a broken hand. One reason for his anger may have been news that rookie Luke Hochevar was going to replace him in the starting rotation. In three starts, Bale is 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA. Hochevar was called up when Bale went out with the shoulder and is 2-1, 4.86 ERA. Now Bale can only sit and stew while healing what X-rays indicated was a fracture on the side of the left hand. As a middle reliever, Bale has zero Fantasy appeal. He didn't have much as a starter, as badly as he struggled. (Updated 05/05/2008).
= probable start
