Eckstein will be out 3-6 weeks

Eckstein will be out 3-6 weeks
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
08/26/2006

Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein, his manager and the team's head trainer took turns Friday offering a more conservative timetable of when the All-Star infielder would return from a torn muscle in his side.

An injury the club initially hoped might mend by the time Eckstein became eligible to leave the disabled list probably will sideline him through a significant portion of the team's next trip.

"It's detached from the bone," Eckstein said. "So it's not like I'm going to be tempted to come back too soon. I have to wait and see. But it's definitely there."

"We're calling it three-six weeks. It's the same situation as Albert," head trainer Barry Weinberg said. "We'll see how it progresses. Right now, he's in the final stage of feeling a little bit better, feeling that normal things are normal. But we can't get too aggressive yet."

Eckstein took ground balls before Friday's series opener at Busch Stadium against the Chicago Cubs but said he has not swung a bat since sustaining the injury. Eckstein wouldn't guess when he might pick up a bat.

Team medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta examined Eckstein on Monday in St. Louis. Shortly after findings were relayed to the club, general manager Walt Jocketty moved to sign infielder Jose Vizcaino, whom the San Francisco Giants designated for assignment the previous week.

The Cardinals briefly contemplated replacing Eckstein with outfielder John Rodriguez, but Paletta's examination made it clear the club probably would be without its starting shortstop for several weeks within a tightening pennant race.

"It's the wrong side for a righthanded hitter," manager Tony La Russa said. "That has an impact. When he makes that move (to swing) it's there. He's got a different severity."

Aaron Miles made his sixth start at shortstop in Friday night's series opener against the Chicago Cubs. The addition of Vizcaino allowed La Russa to avoid using second baseman Ronnie Belliard at shortstop or outfielder So Taguchi at second base. The manager had discussed both as contingencies soon after Eckstein was injured Aug. 18 on a third-inning slide into Cubs catcher Michael Barrett.

"It is what it is," La Russa said. "I know he's going to do everything he can to get back as soon as possible."

If Eckstein misses three weeks, his return would come during a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sept. 7-10. A six-week absence would cost him all but the season's final few games.

The two-time All-Star said he would "definitely push the envelope" to get back but underscored that he wouldn't risk aggravating an injury. Doing so could cost Eckstein the rest of the regular season and jeopardize his availability for any playoffs.

"I will be very antsy, and I will do everything I can to get back," said Eckstein, the Cardinals' last position player to miss a start this season.

Eckstein also admitted Friday that he had not seen the ball as well since suffering a mild concussion against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 15. Eckstein was hitting as high as .330 on May 30 but had struggled to a .213 average since July 15 before the muscle injury.

"I wasn't seeing the ball the way I'd like to see the ball, whatever that was," Eckstein said.

The injury is similar to one that sidelined first baseman Albert Pujols from June 4-23. Pujols' strain, however, occurred on his right side. A tear on the left side is considered more serious because it controls the muscles used to stop the body on a swing or throw.