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Moriarty9 · 10-22-2009, 12:44 PM

Career over for Hernandez
Devil Rays 'stunned' to lose young star
May 6, 2010

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Less than one month after signing a four-year contract extension, Tampa Bay Devil Rays All Star pitcher Felix Hernandez appears to have thrown his last pitch.

Hernandez tore back muslces during last night's start against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. The initial belief is that the 24-year-old's career is over.

"We're stunned, we really are," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "It hasn't really sunk in just yet."

Hernandez fell to the ground in the sixth inning of the game, which Tampa Bay won 3-1, on his 84th pitch of the night. The crowd fell silent as medical personnel treated Hernandez on the carpet of the domed stadium before he was carted off.

Hernandez signed a four-year extension worth $54.25 million on April 12, just a few days after he turned 24-years-old. He earned the extension after going 16-6 with a 3.29 ERA in 32 starts last season.

In six starts this year, Hernandez went 4-1 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and .204 opponents average against.

Hernandez had left his first start of the season, April 7 in Baltimore, in the fifth inning with back spasms. He returned to the mound on April 13 at home and pitched well and without pain or discomfort. He has experienced some tightness in games since, but nobody expected Hernandez to suffer such a devastating injury. It is unclear at this time if the previous back spasms have any connection to this back injury.

O'Neal said he has not yet spoken with the coaching staff and the front office regarding how to replace Hernandez in the rotation and on the roster.

"It really isn't a big thought for me just yet," the manager said. "I'm thinking more about Felix and his family, and how this will affect them and even the other players on the team to lose such a good guy to something like this. It's a real kick in the stomach to watch a guy with so much ability, such a young guy who has already done so much, and see him struck down before he even got to the prime of his career."

Right-hander John Lackey is expected to take Hernandez's spot in the pitching rotation while AAA left-handed reliever David Price, whose big league experience consists of 11 innings with the Washington Nationals in 2008, is a strong possibility to join the bullpen.

10-22-2009, 12:44 PM	#647 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Career over for Hernandez Devil Rays 'stunned' to lose young star May 6, 2010 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Less than one month after signing a four-year contract extension, Tampa Bay Devil Rays All Star pitcher Felix Hernandez appears to have thrown his last pitch. Hernandez tore back muslces during last night's start against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. The initial belief is that the 24-year-old's career is over. "We're stunned, we really are," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "It hasn't really sunk in just yet." Hernandez fell to the ground in the sixth inning of the game, which Tampa Bay won 3-1, on his 84th pitch of the night. The crowd fell silent as medical personnel treated Hernandez on the carpet of the domed stadium before he was carted off. Hernandez signed a four-year extension worth $54.25 million on April 12, just a few days after he turned 24-years-old. He earned the extension after going 16-6 with a 3.29 ERA in 32 starts last season. In six starts this year, Hernandez went 4-1 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and .204 opponents average against. Hernandez had left his first start of the season, April 7 in Baltimore, in the fifth inning with back spasms. He returned to the mound on April 13 at home and pitched well and without pain or discomfort. He has experienced some tightness in games since, but nobody expected Hernandez to suffer such a devastating injury. It is unclear at this time if the previous back spasms have any connection to this back injury. O'Neal said he has not yet spoken with the coaching staff and the front office regarding how to replace Hernandez in the rotation and on the roster. "It really isn't a big thought for me just yet," the manager said. "I'm thinking more about Felix and his family, and how this will affect them and even the other players on the team to lose such a good guy to something like this. It's a real kick in the stomach to watch a guy with so much ability, such a young guy who has already done so much, and see him struck down before he even got to the prime of his career." Right-hander John Lackey is expected to take Hernandez's spot in the pitching rotation while AAA left-handed reliever David Price, whose big league experience consists of 11 innings with the Washington Nationals in 2008, is a strong possibility to join the bullpen.