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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > July > 10 > Entry
Strain for Harang, off to DL
They held the news until the last pitch of Thursday’s game, but at least it was semi-good news.
The MRI on Aaron Harang’s sore right forearm came back negative and was diagnosed as a strain. He will be re-evaluated next week.
But he also will be placed on the disabled list, said general manager Walt Jocketty, who was pleased with the diagnosis.
If he recovers, he can come off the DL, which means he would miss one turn after the All-Star break.
“The MRI was negative, classified as just a strain of the forearm,” said Jocketty. “So that’s good. We’ll shut him down, put him on the disabled list, let him rest. He was told not to throw for a week, but we’re confident he’ll get right back into it.”
Said manager Dusty Baker, “That’s great news on Aaron. This is what the doctor thought. Just a strained muscle. That’s huge news. He was instructed not to pick up a ball for a week. Rest it. Treat it. Work out. Train. And come back smoking.”
Permalink | Comments (27) | Post your comment | Categories: Aaron Harang
Comments
By Voiceguy
July 14, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Why the hell does Dusty Baker have to over manage? He complains about an overworked bullpen, then pulls a starter who’s cruising. Baker lost that game for the Reds yesterday by pulling Bailey in the middle of the inning. Fielder hadn’t squat against him, Bailey was still strong, but Dusty has to pull him. And don’t even get me started on Corey Patterson…Marty was right-he has no baseball instincts. Baserunning gaffs and now he can’t decide which base to throw to…c’mon!By MAC
July 12, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this
Jeff, the Reds aren’t winning w/ Harang this year, last year or the year before that and he’s going to cost them a lot of money in the near future. Most everyone around MLB realizes he is better than his record indicates and would like to have him on their staff. And as I mentioned earlier, he’s not likely to be going strong in 2 to 3 years when all our young guys are mature enough to win a title. Because of all that, I say use him to get the team their next stud we need in the middle of our lineup. This team has huge holes up the middle at C, SS and CF and a LF and RF that hurting more than they are helping the team. In short, the Reds need a new Griffey or Hamiliton to go w/ all their up and coming young guns. Now if Harang/the Reds can’t get that type of player in return, I’d agree, don’t make the move. Nevertheless, I think most of us realize a few moves need to be made to improve this team next year and they need to be significant IMO. In short, u have to trade value to get value unless of course ownership intends on buying some new blood by increasing payroll? Based on previous seasons, I wouldn’t expect that to happen?By Matt
July 11, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
Amen, Jim!! It’s so great to have posters like you and me to balance out some of the idiocy on this blog that comes from the likes of hubertucky, mike-cinci and others.By jim
July 11, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
For all you so called pitching coaches who want to imply that Dusty having Harang pitch on his bullpen throw day is what caused this, I’ll ask the question. What caused this last year when Aaron missed a start for the same problem? Does anyone remember last year when Harang had this same problem and missed a start? Would anyone agree that there could be reason to suspect that this is a reoccurring condition and was not brought on by the extra work. As I remember Dusty wasn’t here last year. I’m sure if you asked Dusty he would never want to take a starter out of his routine but this unusual situation dictated the move.Quite honestly if Bray or Fogg does their job we would have never been in that situation in the first place. Bray in particular only had to get 1 lefthander out. Something he is supposed to do and Fogg blew a 2 run lead. I guess Dusty should have thrown the game at that point. People Dusty has handled this pitching staff very well over the course of the year.Look at the bull pen numbers. Volquez and Cueto have had good starts to the their careers. Especially Volquez.In my mind Harang and Arroyo have been around long enough to not need a lot of coaching. Has dusty been responsible for Arroyo giving up 10 runs in a inning. How about Harang walking 7 the other night. There is only so much a coach can do. the player has to perform. Thats why they are paid the big bucks.By Mike-Cinci
July 11, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
In the game before Harang’s 4 inning relief effort he pitched 5 innings and gave up 10 hits and 5 runs. He might have been hurt in that game. My guess is Aaron just has strain that can happen to any pitcher. As Hal has pointed out he has pitched a lot of innings for the Reds and it would not be surprising for him to come up with an ache or pain every now and then. It seems to happen to every pitcher at some time in his career. Some more than others.By jeff
July 11, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
You have to be stupid to trade harang. I mean do you watch the games. Until the san diego game he was a league leader in era and one of the lowest in run support. For god’s sake we finally get a good pitcher for a few years who is only 30 and we want to trade him. I realize he is 3-11 but give me a break. This guy has been the horse for this team. Even the Cubs players said “thank god he wasnt at his best’ Teams would line up for this guy and we are lucky to have him. He will bounce back after this i gurantee it.By Redfuture
July 11, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Hal, one of your articles mentioned that Junior asked the boys “Are we going to mix in a W?” Then they saw the wind storm and proceeded to hit 7 HRs. So who steps up for 99% of the other games and says “There’s no gail-storm blowing out, so let’s take controlled swings, go the other way, take the extra base, make no mistakes, and take advantage of every mistake the opposition makes.”By Nick W
July 11, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
hubertucky i agree with u..i think it was george grande u said it the other day that harang hasn’t been the same since that game and i was like there no way that was months ago and now that i think about it he hasn’t had a good start since and he threw what like 70 pitches in relief that game..so i think he strained it there and just be trying to tough it out..i think there is being tough and then being smart about an injury we don’t know when he hurt it but if it was after that game and he still pitched and said he was fine he hurt the team more then if he just came out and said he was hurt instead of trying to play thru the pain so he could have done this a month ago and already been back from the DL and pitch like he has in the past but i don’t know when he did hurt and no wil no except him but if was that game he should have told someone..By Nick W
July 11, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
i agree with nick(original) not the nick who is the one that is making those comments about hal, u are giving nick a bad name..we are all here to read the best sports writer in baseball better then anything u will read on espn or any else so if ur gonna disrespect a HOF writer go somewhere else we don’t want u here!!By HuberTucky
July 11, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
This particular blog article is about Harang’s arm strain, right? What do you wanna bet it originated with that multiple inning relief pitching outing in San Diego? He hasn’t been the same since has he? Bad idea using a starter for so many innings between starts on so little rest. Was that one game worth all of this? Anyway, that’s my opinion on it.By Nick (original)
July 11, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Nick, you are giving me a bad name man. Get out of here.By Matt
July 11, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Right on, Steve!!By Steve
July 11, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Nick- If you don’t like what Hal has to say, leave. Yet another Reds ‘fan’ taking shots at a Hall of Famer. What a shame. Please do not tell people you are a Reds fan. You will give all of us a bad name. Move to Cleveland already!By AP-FLORIDA
July 11, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
JACK- SAMMY SOSA AND RICHIE SEXSON?By AP-FLORIDA
July 11, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
JACK, ARE YOU RELATED TO MATT. WHAT ABOUT BARRY BONDS, DID HE DECIDE HE NO LONGER WANTED TO PLAY? I DON’T KNOW IF I AGREE WITH THE HEADLINE GRIFFEY LEADS TEAM TO VICTORY. I THINK PHILLIPS LIFTED EVERYONE’S SPIRIT AND GOT THEM ROLLING…AND DAVID ROSS EARNED SOME MORE PT….GRIFFEY HELPED BUT DID NOT LEADBy MAC
July 11, 2008 6:30 AM | Link to this
Hey Monkey, if it would give the team a solid lead-off man/CF, catcher or SS, I’d be all for it. IMO, we’ve seen the best Harang has to give and it’s unlikely he’ll still be going strong when our young SP’s reach their peak. Likewise, he has a pretty hefty contract which isn’t producing the wins they need. Of course, he hasn’t always gotten the needed support, but he just might be a strong enough carrot to bring a stud player the Reds need to go along w/ the young guys?By ShockMonkey
July 11, 2008 5:28 AM | Link to this
Whew, that was close. I have a deal on the table to trade him after the All-Star break so thank goodness the MRI came back negative. Sincerely, Walt Jocketty.By MAC
July 11, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this
Interesting comments from management: “We sent Thompson back down to work on some things,” said Jocketty, a reason not to bring him back yet. You don’t want a pitcher working on things in a major-league game.” Funny, just what did they send Homer back down for? Evidently nothing based on his previous comments on the subject. Then again, that’s not a huge surprise is it; kind of par for the course for the Reds? It seems to me the Reds are willing to sacrific Bailey; sounds like they’ve given up on him? Why not bring Belise back and let him and Affeldt go long before the All Star break on Sunday? IMO, Affeldt should be stretched out and tried as a starter in the second half. Hal it would be real nice to know just what Thompson and Bailey are working on in AAA; any ideas?By D8Nken
July 10, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Jack, I’m sure Griffey does not “give a crap” what I think. Remember though, it is not usually the players choice when to leave the game. His contract is up. He will be looking for a job. I don’t see many takers when nearly every team has players at AAA that can put up the same numbers as Junior is this year. I just think it is a lousy way for a Hall of Fame career to end, looking for a job and cannot find one.By bigdoc1
July 10, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
In ‘71 Mays was 40—I think Jr will match those HR/RBI numbers this season. At 38, Mantle was retired. At 38, Aaron, 34/77/.265. Also interesting, Griffey’s first season, age 19, 127 games, 16/61/.264—Jay Bruce has a ways to go!By Jack
July 10, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Are you forgetting it is the PLAYER’S decision on when they want to leave the game. Do you really think Griffey gives a crap what you think about him. He still wants to play. Willie still wanted to play.By D8Nken
July 10, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
Willie Mays is the first player everyone thinks of when players playing too long is mentioned. Willie should have retired after the 1971 season when he hit .271, 18 HR’s, and 61 RBI’s. In 1972 he played only 88 games but still .250, 8 Hr’s and 22 RBI’s. In 1973, 66 games,.211, 6HR and 25 RBI. History is repeating itself. These numbers are very close to the type of numbers Griffey Jr. is putting up now. Like Willie did not, he needs to realize it is time to go and retire at the end of this season. And for the love of god Dusty, drop him in the order!By donb51
July 10, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
“But he also will be placed on the disabled list, said general manager Walt Jocketty, who was pleased with the diagnosis.” Wow, Jocketty is pleased! Now we all can be happy!By bigdoc1
July 10, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
Good news! No need for ‘Ranger’ to pitch any more this year! Let the big guy rest! Hal is like my late mother—and me—always expects the worst!By Nick
July 10, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Good news. And now that Dr. McCoy is done predicting Tommy John surgery he can go back to taking shots at Homer Bailey because he doesn’t answer all of his questions.By Rick
July 10, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
Great. That’s why the speculation in the earlier blog post was silly. Just because Dempster had some wildness and a sore forearm before getting elbow surgery, doesn’t mean the same for everyone else.By Y-City Jim
July 10, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
Thank you, baseball gods!!!