Milwaukee – Left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes went on the 15-day disabled list this afternoon, and center fielder Willy Taveras could be next.
Taveras’ strained right quadriceps is healing slowly and manager Clint Hurdle said he would play Taveras sparingly, or not at all, in this weekend’s series against the Brewers. By Sunday, the club will decide whether to put Taveras on the DL.
“It’s in our best interest, and in his, to have him for very limited use over the next couple of day,” Hurdle said. “At the end of the weekend we will decide what direction to go.”
The speedy Taveras, who leads the majors in infield hits and has 20 stolen bases, injured his leg chasing a flyball in Houston before the all-star break. The injury has slowed him considerably.
“It’s getting better,” he said today. “The swelling has gone down, but there is still pain there. I hope I can play this weekend.”
The decision to put Fuentes on the DL is not a surprise. Though his strained left lat muscle improved during the break, he’s still experiencing stiffness and soreness when he throws.
“It’s getting better,” Fuentes said today. “If this had to happen, this was the best possible time. It gave me four days to rest it.”
Fuentes’ move is retroactive to July 4, meaning he would be eligible to pitch again on Thursday. To take his place on the roster, the club recalled infielder Omar Quintanilla from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Quintanilla, who provides depth in the wake of Taveras’ absence, is available for tonight’s game against the Brewers at Miller Park.
Fuentes last pitched on July 3 against the Mets at Coors Field, retiring all three batters he faced and striking out two in the Rockies’ 11-3 win. But he felt tightness that night and was unable to participate in the All-Star Game.
After blowing four consecutive saves on the Rockies’ last road trip, Fuentes temporarily lost his job as closer, though Hurdle expects Fuentes to step back into that role once he’s healthy. For now, the closer role will feature right-handers Manny Corpas and Jorge Julio, and lefty Jeremy Affeldt.
Staff writer Patrick Saunders
can be reached at 303-954-1428
