Reynolds out for doubleheader (and lineups for Game 1)
Mark Reynolds, who was beaned in the helmet in the third inning Saturday by Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ervin Santana, did not pass his cognitive test and will not play at all in Monday’s doubleheader.
He expects to take another test Tuesday, but the Orioles are being cautious with Reynolds, who also was beaned last August while with the Arizona Diamondbacks and eventually missed three games.
“We’re not in position yet where we feel comfortable, so we’ll see what tomorrow brings,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He had this happen in Arizona last year, and you don’t try to handicap it or talk about X-Rays or whatever. I think from the limited experience we all have with it, you just kind of take it day by day and see how he feels.”
Reynolds said the spot on the left side of his head was “still sore, but I’m fine.” He was hoping to play in at least one of Monday’s games but now isn’t sure when he’ll get the OK to get back in the lineup. Right now, he is day to day, but it’s unlikely he’ll play Tuesday either.
“I think sometimes people, we forget the guts or whatever it takes just to get in the box against these guys that throw hard and hang in there against a slider. It’s a lot of challenges you have to be focused on mentally in this game,” Showalter said. “If I know Mark, he’ll bounce back and respond well.”
Adam Jones is also not in the lineup for the opener at Fenway Park with a sprained right thumb that is still sore. Showalter said Jones was available to play if needed – leaving the door cracked open for a possibility of the center fielder potentially starting in Game 2.
Here is the Game 1 lineup for the Orioles: Angle 8, Hardy 6, Markakis 9, Guerrero DH, Wieters 2, C. Davis 3, Andino 4, Reimold 7, Bell 5. Guthrie 1.
And for the Red Sox: Ellsbury 8, Pedroia 4, Gonzalez 3, Ortiz DH, Reddick 9, Crawford 7, Scutaro 6, Saltalamacchia 2, Aviles 5. Weiland 1.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
If I were commissioner of baseball -- and I mean a real one, not a former used car salesman -- I'd do two things. First, any batter who leaves the game from being hit by the pitch will have the pitcher who hit him also removed. If that batter misses some games, so does that pitcher.
That pitcher or his team can appeal the process if they want, but their appeal for leniency should bear the burden of proof (for the lack of a better word).
Simultaneously, the batters should not be allowed to wear any protective gear except a batting helmet. No guards for their elbow, instep, nothing. Not even batting gloves. Just a uniform with a helmet instead of a cap. That way, batters can't just dive into every pitch willy-nilly.
I don't know if any of the last paragraph applies to Mark Reynolds, but it is a travesty he's missing time at the very least and possibly has his career in jeopardy while Not-Carlos Santana gets away with revenge when the only crime was Reynolds took him deep.
Posted by: waspman | September 19, 2011 1:00 PM
guthrie has got to be the king of giving up runs with 2 outs...twice today he has done it, the sox have 3 runs with 2 outs, 2 in an inning where he got the first 2 outs, then walks a guy to pitch to the 3 and 4 guys. the guy is just maddening at times like those because he has proven that he can be better than that.
Posted by: jim66 | September 19, 2011 2:54 PM
I can't even count the times this year the Orioles have had a runner on second or third (or both) with no outs and failed to produce a run. It's disgraceful.
Posted by: Christopher | September 19, 2011 3:30 PM
Dan, Remember last season when Mike Scioscia was so upset when Felix Pie showed some emotion when he hit for the cycle against Los Angeles? He acted like Pie had broken some unwritten rule and purposely had his pitcher hit him the next game even though Pie apologized. Isn't it ironic now that his pitcher hit Reimold who followed Reynolds after the home run and then hit Reynolds his next at bat. That guy is a phony and should be suspended by Joe Torre.
Posted by: Mike | September 19, 2011 5:16 PM
Anytime a batter is hit by a pitch above the waist, whether intentional or not, he should be awarded 2 bases.
Posted by: joe | September 19, 2011 5:54 PM
I know it's a lost season but what the hell is Matusz pitching for? A 10.0 era doesn't belong out there....PERIOD!! Hell, it's not fair to the Rays for crying out loud. The O's score 3 in the first against the Red Sox and this moron gives up an immediate 4 and then another 1. Matusz has already lost it. He will never be a major league pitcher. He's done.....baked, finished. Get him gone!! It's just ridiculous that he's pitching.
Posted by: lunatic | September 19, 2011 8:04 PM