« Final Step for Caligiuri? | Main | Ezi Suspended »
June 24, 2008
Caligiuri's Back/Tommy To Do Mike & Mike
Jay Caligiuri waited approximately two hours today to undergo a final X-ray of his surgically repaired left wrist at The Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center in Fairfield. It was well worth the wait.
The results came back favorable and Caligiuri was cleared to play for the first time since being injured on a play at the plate during an exhibition game against the Long Island Ducks April 22. He had surgery April 28.
``It showed total bone growth,’’ Caligiuri said. ``The doc said there’s nothing more I can do but to get in the lineup. I’ve been trying to do as much as I can for the team, trying to be a good team guy. Now I’ve got to come out and try to do some stuff for myself. The team’s kind of struggling right now. Hopefully, I can come and give a spark. I know the lineup doesn’t really need me right now, but we’ll see what happens when I get in there.’’
Caligiuri, who said the strength in his wrist is between 95 and 100 percent, is in the No. 6 spot in the lineup at designated hitter tonight against the York Revolution. He was slated to see two at-bats before being replaced by Calvin Pickering.
Manager Tommy John’s plan is to give Caligiuri at least two more at-bats at designated hitter Wednesday before playing him for five innings at second base Thursday, at third base Friday, in left field Saturday and in right field Sunday in an attempt to steadily work Caligiuri back into the fold and to also rest some players.
``He was an integral part of our team last year and we missed him this year,’’ John said. ``By Sunday, he should be able to go nine innings.’’
Caligiuri hit .320 with 14 home runs and career-highs of 33 doubles, 78 RBIs and 79 runs scored in 111 games for the Bluefish. He was named an Atlantic League postseason All-Star.
``I don’t want to push anything to where I injure something else,’’ Caligiuri said. ``I haven’t played in a few months. I’ve been running and doing sprints to get my legs under me. But I haven’t done explosive movement in the infield, running bases and things like that. The progression’s going to be good for me and it’ll allow other guys to stay sharp too.’’
Tommy John will co-host the Mike & Mike in the Morning Show with Erik Kuselias Thursday from 6 to 10 a.m. on ESPN Radio (WPOP-AM 1410, WINE-AM 940) and live in high definition on ESPN2 from 6 to 7 and on ESPNews from 7 to 10. The show will also be featured on the Best of Mike & Mike in the Morning on ESPN at 2 p.m.
John, who co-hosted Bagels and Baseball with Ian Eagle on WFAN-AM 660 in New York in the spring and summer of 1999, said he plans to wear a Bluefish golf shirt.
``It’ll be fun,’’ John said. ``I’ve got to study up on all the (NBA) draft.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on June 24, 2008 6:51 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://forum.connpost.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1418
