ST. LOUIS — This was a different sort of injury bug.
In a bizarre episode, a moth got stuck deep in Matt Holliday’s right ear, forcing the Cardinals outfielder to walk off the field while the Dodgers batted in the eighth inning Monday night.
With two out, Holliday called time in left field and started toward the dugout holding his ear. Cardinals trainer Barry Weinberg met Holliday and tried to help.
“He had a moth fly into his ear, deep into his ear. I don’t even know what happened to it,” manager Tony La Russa said moments after his team’s 2-1 loss.
Team spokesman Brian Bartow said Holliday was taken into a dark room and trainers put a light by his ear, trying to lure the insect out. That didn’t work, so they used a utensil to get the moth, which was still alive, out of Holliday’s ear. Holliday was not available for comment after the game but appeared to be OK, Bartow said.
Footnotes.
The Phillies placed shortstop Jimmy Rollins on the 15-day disabled list with a groin strain and activated third baseman Placido Polanco (sports hernia).
• Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro was held out of the starting lineup against Atlanta one night after television cameras caught him not paying attention in the field as a pitch was thrown.
• Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury likely will return to the lineup tonight against the Rangers, while designated hitter David Ortiz (heel) could also play during this week’s series at Texas.
• The Indians placed designated hitter Travis Hafner (foot) on the disabled list and recalled right-hander Josh Judy from Triple-A Columbus.
• Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg struck out six and allowed one earned run over three innings in his latest minor-league rehabilitation start. The Associated Press
