Side strain to sideline Iwamura 4-6 weeks

By GREG AUMAN
Published April 25, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG -- Just as quickly as Akinori Iwamura had entrenched himself as a top hitter and clubhouse presence, the Rays will have to go at least a month without the popular rookie third baseman from Japan.

A strained oblique muscle, injured as he hit an RBI double in the fifth inning of Monday's win against the Yankees, put Iwamura on the disabled list, where he's expected to miss four to six weeks.

"You're going to miss his defense ... his bat, but you miss his presence," manager Joe Maddon said. "This guy is a very good player, and he adds a lot to the team just based on his ability and charisma. We're going to miss him, but we're going to get him back."

Iwamura, who ranked ninth in the AL with a .339 average and led the Rays with a .479 on-base percentage heading into Tuesday's games, will go through his rehab at the Rays' minor-league complex.

"I'm disappointed, since I had a good start at the beginning of the season," Iwamura said, speaking through a translator. "Being on the DL for the first time makes me a little bit nervous and not happy, not only for myself but for the team. I will do my best to recover from the injury and be able to play on the field as soon as possible."

Losing Iwamura will challenge the Rays' depth, but teammates said that has been a team strength and an upgrade from past seasons.

"Obviously we're going to miss Aki. Aki's been tremendous," said Ty Wigginton, who moved Tuesday from first base to third, a position he played for most of his pro career. "No matter what player were to go down, we've got somebody who can step in and do the job and really not miss a beat. That's a tribute to the depth of the team."

The Rays called up infielder Jorge Cantu, the team's 2005 MVP, who will provide another option at first base and designated hitter. Carlos Pena, tied for second on the team with three home runs, started Tuesday for Wigginton at first base and hit an RBI single in the fourth inning.

Iwamura said he was injured three times in his eight seasons in Japan, the only significant absence coming in 2003, when a wrist injury limited him to 60 of the season's 144 games. Aside from that, he has played at least 130 games each season for the last seven years.

"He's such a unique person; he's actually apologetic about being hurt," Maddon said. "I said 'Aki, that stuff just happens.' It's unfortunate because we're playing well right now, and he's a big part of what we're doing, now and in the future."

The nature of abdominal injuries makes it crucial to be especially careful so as not to risk reinjury. The first sign of progress for Iwamura? Being able to sneeze and cough without discomfort.

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3346.

[Last modified April 25, 2007, 01:13:16]