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Texas Rangers Third Baseman Michael Young on Hamstring Injury: “Obviously, this is Pretty Tough”

Posted on September 1st, 2009 11:10pm by Evan Grant
Filed under Baseball, Injury report, Texas Rangers

ARLINGTON - The Rangers swept a doubleheader from Toronto on Tuesday, insuring they’d gain at least a smidgeon of ground in the playoff races, but the clubhouse still felt like it the team had just encountered another one of those gut-check moments.

Or maybe that was just a slightly sickening feeling at the thought of jumping into the heart of the pennant race without 3B Michael Young.

Young strained his left hamstring in the third inning of the Rangers 5-2 win in the second game (they also won Game 1, 5-2) while trying to beat out a ground ball to short. After hitting first base, he immediately went into a half-hop, favoring his left leg. And when trainer Jamie Reed sprinted out to attend to him, Young, who has never been on the DL in his nine-year career, mouthed the words “my hammy.”

“At this time of the season, missing even one pitch kills me,” Young said. “So obviously, this is pretty tough. I’m not going to pout about it. I’ll be aggressive with my treatment and get back as quickly as possible, but I don’t have many answers yet.”

The answers will start to be formed Wednesday afternoon when Young undergoes an MRI exam. The scheduling of that exam alone indicates the injury is serious. 2B Ian Kinsler didn’t have an MRI when he went on the DL with a hamstring strain in August. Kinsler missed just over two weeks with his injury.

Young, who is hitting .322 this season with 22 homers, leads the Rangers in games played this season and has played in 1,339 games since June 1, 2001, when he broke into the starting lineup for good. Only Ichiro Suzuki (1,345, including Tuesday), Miguel Tejada (1,341) and Bobby Abreu (1,340) have played more games than Young in that span.

Young played through a pair of broken bones in his fingers last year and has routinely shaken off back spasms without missing much time. Since rosters have already been expanded to 40, there is no need to place him on the DL, so if he is unavailable for seven to 10 days, the Rangers wouldn’t have to go without him for any longer than that.

“It’s concerning,” said Kinsler, who went back to the training room to check on Young during the game. “But at some point, we’ve still got to move ahead and play. It’s a hard thing, though.”

9 Comments to “Texas Rangers Third Baseman Michael Young on Hamstring Injury: “Obviously, this is Pretty Tough””

Paul @ September 1st, 2009 at 11:15 pm

I swear, just this morning I was talking to my brother about the way Young has been running to first base lately on routine ground balls (see Monday game). Just with reckless freakin’ abandon! I commented that he does this to show teammates in the dugout what he expects out of them. Then I said, that’s fine unless you put your health in peril.
scooper @ September 2nd, 2009 at 12:33 am

Two things:
1) MY says he’s never had hamstring issues before, so he doesn’t know firsthand the different degrees of the injury, he just knows it hurts bad.
2) he is the leader of your team and extremely important to your success – you are going to schedule an MRI even for precautionary reasons.

Let’s not panic yet. We’ll know more by tomorrow evening.
Greg @ September 2nd, 2009 at 12:56 am

If Young is going to miss significant time, a couple of weeks or so, do you think Smoak could be brought up to play first while CD plays third?

I know Smoak is in the world baseball cup right now but I’m sure the Rangers could get him if needed. I’d much rather see that than two more weeks of Blalock at first.
Post-Game(s) Show: Rangers 5-5, Blue Jays 2-2 @ September 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 am

[...] Down • The hamstring injury to team leader 3B Michael Young was disheartening and could have significant impact on the club. • OF Marlon Byrd was 0-for-7 in [...]
Tom B @ September 2nd, 2009 at 3:42 am

Injuries happen, It’s Sept. so the roster is expanded. If it had to happen, and they do, this is the time that permits more bodies to cover 3rd. You hate to see MY hurt but he’ll be back and the pennant race continues. Everybody picks up their gear and marches to the sound of the guns….or crack of the bat.
Bobby in Bryan @ September 2nd, 2009 at 7:01 am

If it’s only a strain, MY won’t be out too long. But now its time for everyone else in the order to get the ‘eye of he tiger’ and take up the slack. Forget the wild card–let’s go after the Angels. Go Rangers!
Rossometown @ September 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 am

I’m getting kind of tired of people thinking Smoak should be here any time soon. The kid isn’t ready, period. Look at his numbers in Oklahoma City. He has been slow to adjust to AAA pitching, although he was getting better as the season wore on. However, he isn’t ready to face big league pitching. I don’t know if people are just buying into the hype too soon, but you don’t get drafted and then turn into an all-star. Smoak WILL have a great major league career, but it takes time.

Secondly, what has been the key to this team’s success this year? DEFENSE! Crush can play at third, but he’s not a very good third baseman. He is a stopgap for a few games if need be, he is not the answer there. Smoak, who had a really good glove in college and has plus potential, is not the defensive first baseman Davis is. By making that move you are downgrading half your defensive infield, which would spell disaster. Omar is the third baseman with Michael out. German can fill in just fine as the backup (I hope).
HH @ September 2nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm

You put Blalock at 3B and let him throw his shoulder out and become a free agent. And hope for the best.
JustSaying @ September 2nd, 2009 at 1:45 pm

omar looked great at 3b and could play there a few days……no panic….just a way for the kids to step up……..my will be back soon………think positive and stay close to the ice machine…….