Well, this is just wonderful:
Billy Hamilton left the game with a fractured left thumb. He is expected to go on the 10-day DL.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 6, 2017
As Steve noted in today’s recap, Billy Hamilton injured his thumb while attempting a bunt in the first inning. (Today’s lesson, for all you kids out there: never bunt.) An MRI was conducted, and it turns out Hamilton’s left thumb is fractured.
The Reds seem hopeful that the injury won’t end Hamilton’s season:
“He’ll be in a splint for 10 days, and then we’ll reassess,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “This is not necessarily a season-ending injury. It’s not something that will sit in a cast for 4-6 weeks to heal. It will be about 10 days, and we’ll be able to get the splint off and reassess.”
This has been Hamilton’s worst season overall since his rookie year — which is a slap in my face, since I went out on a limb for Hamilton so publicly this spring, saying he was likely to break out — but he has a good chance of winning his first Gold Glove award. You may recall that Hamilton was likely the front-runner for that award last year, but he missed the final month of the season with a strained oblique. In fact, this is the third consecutive season that Hamilton has suffered an injury late in the year.
If he can return, it’ll be the first time in the last three that the injury didn’t end his season. In the meantime, Phillip Ervin will get a chance to show everyone what he brings to the table.
What I find amazing about Billy’s season is how closely his number for 2017 match his career numbers. Look at
http://m.mlb.com/player/571740/billy-hamilton
The numbers for BA, OBP, and OPS are virtually identical (plus or minus 1).
you’re not the only one, but good thing Ervin and Winker got to watch all those MLB game up close from the bench, invaluable
So who bats leadoff- hope its someone who can create chaos or Reds are for shore to see a big drop off in runs scored
There’s no question in my mind that as long as Price is the manager that Hamilton, as long as he’s injury-free, will be the leadoff man.
This is one of several reasons I really hope they keep all four “starters” in the outfield next year.
Since there is no roster limit I think Hamilton will be back, if only to pinch run. That should cement his first stolen base title. As for the gold glove, who knows? He has deserved it before and still hasn’t won one. This is disappointing for Hamilton, but if it gets serious playing time for Ervin and Winker then it may be a blessing in disguise. If we see more Kivlehan then I may have to chew off my own arm to keep from typing what I’d want to say…
Price will play this guy some and that guy some and that’s about it.How they play won’t matter because when Billy returns we go right back to the way it was.Its his team this year and next.