Blister hits Sheets, Again.
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:19 pm
Here we go again.
Everything was going fine for Brewers right-hander Ben Sheets during his simulated game this afternoon -- until the sixth inning, that is.
Sheets cut short what was a promising session when a small blister popped up on the middle finger of his pitching hand. The problem was not thought to be related to the tissue damage in that finger that landed the team ace on the disabled list on July 15.
What effect the blister will have on attempts to get Sheets back on the active roster remains to be seen. The clubhouse does not open until 5:10 (CDT) so we'll have to wait to interview Sheets and manager Ned Yost.
"A little blister popped up," Sheets told pitching coach Mike Maddux after cutting off the session. "It didn't hurt. It just popped up."
Facing hitters from the Brewers' Arizona Rookie League team, Sheets looked sharp through his first five innings, throwing his fastball with good velocity, breaking off curve balls and even mixing in some changeups.
"He's nasty," said Brett Whiteside, a 19-year-old catcher selected in the 15th round of the 2006 draft. "He's in the (strike) zone with every pitch."
With the team in a freefall for several weeks, there had been talk about activating Sheets without sending him on a minor league rehab assignment. The blister could thwart those plans.
Stay tuned.