Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Ankiel out of hospital after scary crash (video)

Certain highlights physically make you cringe. 

Rick Ankiel's neck-twisting crash into the wall Monday was one of them. 

Ankiel tripped over the warning track, making another spectacular catch, but ended up head-first into the Busch Stadium's outfield wall. 

Here's it is in case you missed it:



Ankiel laid motionless when teammate Chris Duncan got to him, the brim of his hat in a V-shape from the impact. But he was conscious and able to answer Duncan's question. 

Carted off the field, Ankiel gave a thumbs-up and was released from the hospital today after all tests were negative. Tony LaRussa compared the injury to a bad whip-lash and Ankiel will be back at the park tonight, although his return is in question.

Fantasy Spin: Even the staunchest of Cubs fans hates to see this. Ankiel's comeback story has been nothing short of remarkable and it appears he avoided what looked like a catastrophic injury. Get him out of your lineups in the short-term in daily leagues, until you see him back in the lineup and hitting again. This injury could derail his recent offensive burst.  Long-term, Ankiel's value should be fine, so long as LaRussa gets him enough starts.

Zambrano Update: Cubs pitcher/wannabe slugger Carlos Zambrano, who injured his hamstring trying to leg out a bunt (yes, a bunt ... I couldn't make that up if I tried), has been put on the DL with a Grade 2 hamstring strain (on a 1-3 scale). Jim Hendry says Big Z will probably need 2 1/2 weeks to recover so expect him back, shortly after his 15 days are up.

Hamels Update: Phillies lefty Cole Hamels is scheduled to make his next start on Friday at home against the Braves. Hamels is trying to put a rough April behind him. After two awful starts, Hamels finally looked like Hamels again, when he was struck in the left shoulder with a Prince Fielder line drive. The next start Hamels twisted his left ankle in the fifth, after breezing through the first four innings. Originally slated for Tuesday, Hamels was pushed back three days after a rainout on Sunday helped tweak the rotation. Owners, start him with confidence as he looks to have turned the corner.

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