Per Mark Sheldon, Scott Rolen may miss the entire weekend series against the Cardinals with left shoulder pain. It is the same shoulder that he had surgically repaired while missing most of the 2005 season.
Rolen saw medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek Thursday morning had his shoulder X-rayed. He was given two injections to try and relieve the pain. An MRI on his neck showed no issues.
How bad was it for him on Wednesday?
“I got to the point when I played Wednesday, I’m trying to figure out how to catch up to 87, 88 [mph]. I’m thinking ‘I’m trying to finish the game,’†Rolen said. “This is what I’m thinking. This is going the wrong way.”ÂÂ
This is some bad news for Rolen and the Reds. With no clear backup plan in sight and Edgar Renteria’s reluctance to play anything other than shortstop, this could be a significant drag on the Reds all season long. Miguel Cairo has been good in short spurts in his utility role, but I wouldn’t count on him as the everyday third baseman.