Kirk Nieuwenhuis was running out a ground ball in the first inning last
night and wound up with a ‘torn plantar fascia’ in his right foot.
For the record:
A torn or ruptured plantar fascia---the thick connective tissue that
supports the arch of the foot---is a serious injury that requires serious
treatment and rehabilitation. This injury is a result of the entire plantar
fascia ligament becoming torn due to serious stress that caused the ligament to
pull away from the heel bone[i]
Opinions on healing times can vary. But here is the general consensus:
Conservative treatments tend to be the best way to treat plantar
fasciitis. However, it can take months to years to heal depending on your
situation and commitment to treatment (6 weeks to 6 months or longer). To
improve healing time and treat your pain naturally, cold compression therapy,
therapeutic ultrasound, and Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™ are recommended.[ii]
God, I could write about so many past players that had to be rushed to
the airport because of some injury on their parent club. Very few do well the
first time up, and many never get another chance. Domonic
Brown of Philadelphia comes to mind as a possible lucky one. Victor Diaz qualified for the latter.
Lucky for Nieuwenhuis is the fact that no one in the system is pushing
him until 2014. The Mets have to still figure out who is going to play in
Queens next year, with only Jason Bay under
contract. Cory Vaughn is tied for the
organization leader in home runs (AA-18) and, if he can strike out a lot less
and single a little more, he’s get his shot come the 2014 ST roster. Cesar Puello and Darrell
Cecilliani (let the groin heal, dude) just can’t stay healthy, Matt den Dekker needs at least another year at AAA,
and Gilbert Gomez and Brandon
Nimmo are years away.
The first concern here is the extent of the injury, but, even if it turns
out to be a minor strain, the Mets should consider letting Kirk have the rest
of the summer off. Or, at least, ‘reassign’ him to an extended rehab stint in
St. Lucie where he can hit nothing but 200 balls thrown by left-handed
coaches/college pitchers/beer vendors.
Just don’t send him back to Buffalo and, please, foget about platooning
him in Queens. There’s no pennant race there and, if there is a real major
league outfielder somewhere inside of him, take the time to find and develop
it.
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