Unlucky Indians pitcher back in hospital again

By Times Staff
Published June 27, 2005

Cleveland Indians minor league pitcher Kyle Denney was taken to a hospital after being hit in the head by a line drive. Starting for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in an International League game against the Durham Bulls, Denney was struck above his right ear on a liner hit by Devil Ray minor leaguer Joey Gathright, the first batter of the game.

Denney was carried off on a stretcher and taken to Erie County Medical Center. He was expected to be held overnight for observation. Trainer Todd Tomczyk said Denney suffered a concussion but didn't lose consciousness. The 27-year-old pitcher could be sidelined four to six weeks.

Denney appeared in four major league games with the Indians last year, and received a bit of national attention in September when he was hit in the right calf by a bullet that came through the side of Cleveland's bus in Kansas City as the team traveled to the airport.

The bullet caused only a flesh wound, probably because of the tough leather of the knee-high go-go boot he was wearing, Denney and his trainers said. That day, all of Cleveland's rookies were decked out in outrageous outfits on the bus, part of a hazing ritual.

"He said this hurt worse than the gunshot wound," Bisons manager Marty Brown said.

Denney also was struck in the knee by a thrown bat during a spring training game, forcing him to miss the 2005 season opener. He later spent 33 days on the disabled list for an elbow injury. f,12,ux0

Cards in double trouble

St. Louis ran into an unusual double play against the Pirates in the fourth inning when Yadier Molina hit a liner off the right-center fence but passed a teammate who had stopped between first and second.

Abraham Nunez , who was on first, apparently thought Molina's drive was caught by right fielder Matt Lawton and was retreating to first as Molina rounded the bag and passed him while gesturing to his teammate to turn around.

Molina was called out for passing Nunez on the basepaths, and the stunned Nunez was standing near second when he was tagged out by second baseman Jose Castillo for an inning-ending double play.

METS: Doug Mientkiewicz was placed on the 15-day disabled list after injuring his right hamstring in the on-deck circle. The first baseman had an MRI Sunday that revealed a slight tear. ... The Mets purchased the contract of veteran infielder Jose Offerman from Triple-A Norfolk.

PADRES: First baseman Phil Nevin was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained muscle in his left side. The move was made retroactive to Tuesday. Outfielder Ben Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Portland to take Nevin's roster spot.

REDS: Left-hander Randy Keisler was placed on the 15-day disabled list and lefty Brian Shackelford was recalled from Triple-A Louisville.

RED SOX: With his 19th career four-run homer Sunday, Manny Ramirez tied Hall of Famer Eddie Murray for second place on the career grand slams list. Lou Gehrig holds the record with 23.

TIGERS: Shortstop Carlos Guillen was activated from the 15-day disabled list before Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks. The team also announced that outfielder Magglio Ordonez will began a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Monday. To make room for Guillen, the Tigers reassigned Tony Giarratano to Double-A Erie.

[Last modified June 27, 2005, 01:06:04]