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Around SBN: More Televised Winter Baseball, Please

Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

by J.D. on Mar 12, 2008 12:17 PM EDT

Per 620 WDAE, Rocco Baldelli has an unknown muscle disorder and will be placed on the DL indefinitely. Rocco visited doctors all over the country who performed a slew of "invasive" tests on him but couldn't trace the cause of his muscle fatigue, which is what is limiting his play -- according to Rocco, doing simple workouts would leave him exhausted. Ruled out with the tests were some very serious conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gherig's disease.

When asked about Rocco's upcoming option, Andrew Friedman said that as of now it looks like they won't pick it up unless something happens between now and that day.

Update(12:20):(Kevin Gengler) Per Lancaster:

Rocco Baldelli addressed his myserious medical problems for the first time today, saying a litany of tests by doctors around the country had revealed "some type of metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities." Essentially, his body is not allowing his muscles to work as they should and made it all but impossible for him to sustain any kind of regular activity on the field for any length of time. He will open the season on the disabled list and it’s unclear when—or if—he might return, though he said he is not retiring.

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Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

This is sad, more so for Rocco than for the Rays. The team will find another outfielder, but it looks like Rocco won't be able to continue with his chosen profession.

Let's hope he doesn't get a new disease named after him...

by zengator on Mar 12, 2008 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

Poor Rocco had a promising career.

I remember him homering off Chien Ming Wang at the Trop a few years back towards the end of the season. Thought he would really turn things around then.

A huge loss for the Rays.

I think it is time to sign Lofton or Bonds before some other team suffers a setback like this.

Rays World Series 2009

by Japhei on Mar 12, 2008 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

so sad.

by websterjtc on Mar 12, 2008 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

Baldelli is really pissing me off...i know its not technically his fault he is always injured, but im sure the Rays could trade him to a team willing to wait out his injury and get a couple DECENT minor leaguers in return...this is starting to get ridiculous, trade him and sign kenny lofton! GO RAYS!

by RAYS44 on Mar 12, 2008 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

He's pissing you off? You think he wants to have an unknown condition that doesn't let him run, let alone play baseball? Nobody wants Rocco to play more than Rocco.

Also, you can't trade players on the DL, and nobody would trade for him anyway. They're almost definitely not picking up the option, and it won't cost other teams anything to sign him. Not to mention the fact that he can't even play baseball so nobody would want him.

by J.D. on Mar 12, 2008 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

Rocco has been untradable for years now, and this was the reason. We were relying on a guy that wouldn't see the field again for years.

by Jhattenburg on Mar 12, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

This makes me sad for Rocco. He is a nice guy and I wish he could just stay healthy. I hope that he can somehow turn it around or something, for his sake.

by Flabull on Mar 12, 2008 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

In other news: Base clearing brawl at the Drays/Yanks game spurned on by Gomes running in out of outfield to tackle the baserunner. Hell yeah!

by Carl Crawfords Champion Readers on Mar 12, 2008 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

If Dukes/Young did it this board would be full of racist commets about fleet footed natural athletes with bad tempers.

When gomes does it, you spur him on.

by Jhattenburg on Mar 12, 2008 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

What?

Where does race come into play? Gomes was just protecting his teammates. Damn right we're going to stand by him and be proud that he's standing up for his teammates.

by raysrule07 on Mar 12, 2008 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: What?

He defended a Japanese player at that....Play the race card somewhere else

Mound Visit

by Mound Visit on Mar 12, 2008 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: What?

Also...I believe CC did the bashing on Dukes/Young. "Flawed your opinion is" (Yoda)

Mound Visit

by Mound Visit on Mar 12, 2008 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think that's true

Throwing out the race part entirely, have you ever heard of a team's fans not chest-poundingly supporting their players when they engage in some sort of brawl? Gerald Williams was about as guilty as any of them come, and he was applauded for charging the mound.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Mar 12, 2008 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope these will not be my last pics of Rocco..

on the field.

by Flabull on Mar 12, 2008 5:47 PM EDT reply actions

Re: I hope these will not be my last pics of Rocco

Do you mind if I use the top picture as an avatar? It's really nice, very sharp.

by J.D. on Mar 13, 2008 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions

your baldelli photo

And could it also be uploaded to wikipedia? The site is paranoid about using copywrited photos, so Rocco doesn't have a picture on his article.

If you're ok with it, I'll do the work (with credit, of course).

by zengator on Mar 13, 2008 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: your baldelli photo

Go ahead guys. Thanks for asking. If you want any other players ask. I have a crap load of pictures from variety of games.

by Flabull on Mar 13, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

I am just sad today - happy thta Gomesy stuck up for Aki, but Rocco's health is bigger than baseball.

Damn. That sucks.

If you're not having fun, what are you having? There's already WAAAY too many serious moments in life.

by Manny Stiles on Mar 12, 2008 6:19 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

Really sad for Rocco - and how weird that what's happening is such a mystery.

I'm not sure Lofton's the solution - just can't see him as a good fit in RF. He's fine as a CF fallback, but that not what's most needed. And apparently the club doesn't see Ruggy as the answer now - he could have gotten a good amount of PT in the RF/DH rotation, but hasn't really earned it this spring.

For impact Bonds might be the answer at DH, go with a RF platoon, CC as emergency CF, Perez callup if Upton goes on DL. Bonds' baggage is a concern though.

Any other candidates?

by nyyfaninlaaland on Mar 12, 2008 7:12 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

Juan Rivera would be interesting, he's not a lefty bat, but could be a full time RFer with Gomes / Floyd platooning at DH. Of course he have injury issues of his own. Matt Murton would be interesting, not a lefty.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 12, 2008 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

It seems the Angels want to hang on to Rivera despite their OF overload - maybe that's just a negotiating posture. I'd love to see him get a chance to play - he was emerging in '06 before getting hurt. The injury was a badly broken leg, but I haven't heard any discussion of chronic issues. And I don't understand the focus on a lefty with Hinske in the fold.

Murton also a good choice, though I don't understand the Cubs apparent willingness to move him even if he lacks a spot. They need a righty bat on the bench. Being young and relatively inexpensive, each might be a little steep in cost. But much better RF choices.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Mar 13, 2008 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

Regardless of his future with the Rays, here's hoping for a fully healthy Rocco Baldelli.

by RATW on Mar 12, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

Amen

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 12, 2008 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

Get well Rocco. Hopefully things get taken care of and we'll see you on the field again. However, if your career on the field is over I hope you stick around with the organization for years to come in some capacity. You've always been a class act on and off the field. I wish you the best.

Here's a pic from fan fest a couple years ago when Rocco signed a ball for my daughter. She still talks about him nearly every day. I believe she has a crush. :)

by floridaroar on Mar 13, 2008 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

Great pic, Thanks!

by ttnorm on Mar 13, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Baldelli: Unknown Muscle Disorder

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Rocco. Hope to see you back on the field in a Rays uni again soon.

by bucandbull on Mar 13, 2008 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

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