Eddie Guardado had one of the more unfortunate outings when he pitched against the Chicago Cubs yesterday. Although the Rangers beat the Cubs 5-4, Eddie came in the fifth inning and pitched to four hitters giving up two hits, two earned runs, one home run, and his first blown save this spring. To go along with his poor performance, he limped off the mound with what he later found out as a strained left knee tendon. The injury is not considered serious.
Guardado’s injury puts another name on the list of injured pitchers. A day earlier it had been Vicente Padilla, who left the game with a pulled muscle. They join Brandon McCarthy (out at least a month with forearm inflammation), Kevin Millwood (sore hamstring), Joaquin Benoit (weak arm) and C.J. Wilson (biceps tendinitis). The Rangers are hopeful the only injured pitcher who will miss time during the regular season is McCarthy, who will likely be out 4-6 weeks.
On a more positive note, Jason Jennings threw three good innings while trying to earn himself a rotation spot and Sidney Ponson pitched his Rangers debut throwing two hitless innings and getting the win.