FullCountPitch | Help Wanted: Shortstop

I wouldn’t be surprised if you opened up the pages of the classified ads in today’s Arizona Republic or looked under jobs on their online site and found a listing for a shortstop. Pay based on experience, need to fill position ASAP.

The Diamondbacks, one of the biggest surprises in baseball this season, suffered a huge blow last night when shortstop Stephen Drew fractured his ankle sliding into home plate against the Milwaukee Brewers. Drew is one of the key players on a Diamondbacks team that is just 4.5 games behind San Francisco in the NL West. The Diamondbacks were probably set to be moderate buyers at the deadline and while that is still probably true, their level of interest has certainly gone up a notch.

Drew was fourth on the team with 46 RBI, just four behind Chris Young's team leading 50, and second among shortstops in the National League. Defensive minded shortstops can be found fairly easily, but coming up wiht a player who will pick up the offensive slack left by Drew’s absence won’t be so easy.

So, who replaces Drew?

Read the rest of this free article at FullCountPitch.com

Montero Has Minor Ankle Surgery

Jesus Montero is likely out for the remainder of the season after undergoing minor surgery to clear up an ankle infection.

This also means, of course, there's no chance that Montero will get a September "look-see" with the big club.

Ventura Gets a New Wheel

Former Yankees 3rd Baseman Robin Ventura has never been the same since devastatingly breaking his ankle as a member of the White Sox back in 1997. That spring training injury had lead to a permanent limp and a decrease in running speed and mobility. But that is a thing of the past.

Ventura underwent transplant surgery this past November after his ankle debilitated to the point where he could not walk without a cane and he was in constant pain. In addition to the injury itself, the ankle was weakened by the number of cortisone shots Ventura had taken over the years in order to play.

Dr. William Bugbee gave Ventura the choice of either having the ankle fused and be very limited for the remainder of his life, or undergo the surgery the doctor had performed over 250 times. The choice was an easy one for Ventura, who knew that if the surgery didn't work he could still have the ankle fused. The reverse order was not an available option.

Like any other transplant, a matching donor was needed. Once the surgery was performed, Ventura knew he faced a 6 month rehab. The transplant involved an incision from the lower shin to the top of the foot and required removal of a portion of the existing ankle bone as well as some cartilage. Bone from a cadaver was then shaped to the exact size needed, inserted into place, and fastened to the bones using four screws.

"When they first told me about what they'd be doing and showed me a picture. ... yeah, it was, 'Eeuuuw. I'm not sure this is what I'm looking for -- someone else's bone,'" Ventura said. "My kids don't get near my foot even now. But I don't even think about it now. I'm just happy it works."

Great news for one of the nicest guys in baseball!

Source

Ventura Gets a New Wheel

Former Yankees 3rd Baseman Robin Ventura has never been the same since devastatingly breaking his ankle as a member of the White Sox back in 1997. That spring training injury had lead to a permanent limp and a decrease in running speed and mobility. But that is a thing of the past.

Ventura underwent transplant surgery this past November after his ankle debilitated to the point where he could not walk without a cane and he was in constant pain. In addition to the injury itself, the ankle was weakened by the number of cortisone shots Ventura had taken over the years in order to play.

Dr. William Bugbee gave Ventura the choice of either having the ankle fused and be very limited for the remainder of his life, or undergo the surgery the doctor had performed over 250 times. The choice was an easy one for Ventura, who knew that if the surgery didn't work he could still have the ankle fused. The reverse order was not an available option.

Like any other transplant, a matching donor was needed. Once the surgery was performed, Ventura knew he faced a 6 month rehab. The transplant involved an incision from the lower shin to the top of the foot and required removal of a portion of the existing ankle bone as well as some cartilage. Bone from a cadaver was then shaped to the exact size needed, inserted into place, and fastened to the bones using four screws.

"When they first told me about what they'd be doing and showed me a picture. ... yeah, it was, 'Eeuuuw. I'm not sure this is what I'm looking for -- someone else's bone,'" Ventura said. "My kids don't get near my foot even now. But I don't even think about it now. I'm just happy it works."

Great news for one of the nicest guys in baseball!

Source