Yesterday, during the Washington Nationals’ 2-1 victory in the first of a four-game series with the Chicago Cubs, outfielder Michael Morse was pulled from the game in the middle of the fourth inning. It was announced that Morse, who has been dealing with several nagging injuries since early August, was removed due to soreness in his right thumb.
It came as a surprise, then, when manager Davey Johnson told the media in a post-game interview that the reason Morse was removed was a precautionary one. Johnson had hoped to spare Morse discomfort in his right hand – a right hand that was hit by a Kyle Kendrick changeup on August 24.
“Where he got hit was acting up,” Johnson said. “I knew their pitcher was going to pound him in, and I didn’t want to aggravate it worse. He didn’t want to come out. I just said, ‘You’re coming out.’ I don’t need you aggravating it.”
It came as an even bigger surprise, then, when Morse spoke to the media and claimed he felt fine.
“No, my hand feels fine,” Morse said. “My hand feels good.”
What a curious little mystery. Continue reading
