LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Rick Santorum's Wife Sued Doctor For $500,000 In 1999
When Akinori Iwamura was carried off the field after Florida's Chris Coghlan slid into him hard at second base in late May, it was feared the Rays would be without their second baseman for the remainder of the season. During Iwamura's surgery on Monday, however, doctors found only a partial tear of his left ACL. That mean arthroscopic, rather than reconstructive, surgery, and the Rays are reporting that Iwamura could rejoin the team in six-to-eight weeks. That lines up nicely with a potential push for a return trip to the playoffs, although one wonders how much Iwamura would actually get into the lineup when and if he will get a clean bill of health then.
Ben Zobrist has taken advantage of the expanded opportunity provided by Iwamura's absence to go from valuable utility man to All-Star-level everyday player. Zobrist's bat was a nice addition to the Rays last summer and he's only improved at the plate, but he's opened eyes with his play in the field.
He'd rank fourth in the American League in Universal Zone Rating if he'd played enough innings to qualify, which has kept the Rays near the top of the league in fielding. Defense was a crucial element to the Rays' success last season, and will likely play a large role if they are to outlast the Red Sox and/or Yankees for a postseason berth again this October.
That sparkling UZR may not prove sustainable with more innings, but it's a good sign that Zobrist can handle the job. Add in his hitting, and the choice of a starting second baseman appears clear. That points to a utility role for Iwamura upon his return, something that works just fine for a Rays team that prides itself on roster flexibility. Their divisional rivals can't boast that kind of depth, which should make for another fine stretch run in the East.
Why New England Town Wants $286,000 Police 'Tank'
Congress Agrees On Payroll Tax Cut, Unemployment Extension
House Dems Walk Out Of Birth Control Hearing
Chaos Inside Burning Barracks
'Colbert Report' Abruptly Suspends Production For The Week
WATCH: Fox News Host Makes Shocking Comment About Black Rep.
Pelosi Rips GOP Over Birth Control: I May Be "Moved To Explain Biology To My Colleagues"
Apple Lifts The Veil On Gorgeous New OS X
WATCH: CNN Contributor Compares Sarah Palin To Snooki
RECOVERING THE RECOVERY: A Good Sign For American Jobs
Local Fishers Deliver Invasive Potomac River Menace To Legendary Manhattan Eatery
Steel Beams Crash 40 Stories At WTC Construction Site
House Democrat Mocks Newt Gingrich For Birth Control Comments
The Most Expensive City In The World Is...
Payroll Tax Cut: A Win For Scott Brown
Deanna Fei: ASIAN MEN CAN JUMP
Amanda Knox Receives Book Deal
Walsh: Boehner Not Trying Hard Enough To Repeal Obamacare
Defense Says Yeardley Love Suffocated
Putin's First Ride Fail
How Jeremy Lin Proves Everything We Know About Investing Is Wrong
Oklahoma Senate Approves 'Personhood' Bill
A Tale Of Dual Tracking: Trying To Modify A Loan As Bank Forecloses
WATCH: Trita Parsi Says There's No 'Military Solution' In Iran Nuclear Standoff
Jimmy Carter Casts Movement As 'Relatively Successful'
Actress In Controversial China Political Ad Apologizes
