Grieve hospitalized, treated for infection

© St. Petersburg Times
published April 20, 2003

BALTIMORE -- Rays outfielder Ben Grieve is expected to be released from the Bayview Medical Center today after being treated for an infection that was spreading after starting in the webbing of his left thumb.

"There was concern," manager Lou Piniella said.

Trainer Ken Crenshaw said Grieve was not in serious danger but was hospitalized Friday night at the suggestion of hand specialist Dr. Martin Deitch so he could receive heavy-duty antibiotics intravenously.

Grieve showed improvement by Saturday morning, but Deitch wanted to keep him hospitalized for at least another 24 hours.

"He wanted to make sure they stopped the infection," Crenshaw said.

Grieve, who noticed the swelling on Thursday, has had infections on that part of his hand before. He had a ganglian cyst removed about seven years ago, and Deitch told Crenshaw there "might be old suture in there that never dissolved and when it gets irritated it gets infected."

The Rays don't know when Grieve can play again. "That's kind of a gray area," Crenshaw said.

Grieve likely will be examined by a team doctor when they get home Tuesday and may get an MRI exam.