Thursday, August 29, 2002
Kearns' injury not as serious
But Rookie of Year chances may be damaged
By Joe Kay
AP Sports Writer
Austin Kearns' hamstring injury isn't as serious as feared, leaving a possibility that the Reds rookie outfielder could return next month.
Kearns pulled his left hamstring while running out a grounder Tuesday night during a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a doubleheader.
He was in considerable pain after the game, and team officials feared he had torn the hamstring, ending his season. An MRI indicated Wednesday that the injury isn't so bad.
Barring a strike, Kearns might be back in the lineup before the end of the season.
Kearns, one of the National League's top rookies, leads the Reds with a .315 batting average. He's trying to become the first rookie to lead the team in hitting since Grady Hatton batted .271 in 1946.
“They thought it was going to be worse, and I thought so, too,” Kearns said after being treated Wednesday. “It's the first time I've ever had a hamstring problem.”
The 22-year-old Kearns leads NL rookies in batting, RBIs (56) and hits (117). His 13 homers rank second behind Montreal's Brad Wilkerson, who has 17. The injury will hurt Kearns' chances to win the NL Rookie of the Year award.
“It'll be a factor,” manager Bob Boone said. “He's in a dogfight. It will probably have an effect. It's just a shame. Hopefully, it will be a two-week thing.”
Reds reliever Scott Williamson won the award in 1999.
The Reds put Kearns on the 15-day disabled list after the game Tuesday night.
Kearns moved slowly Wednesday and was still in pain.
“It throbbed all night,” he said. “I didn't sleep much because it kept me up.”
Kearns extended his hitting streak to a season-high 13 games with a single Tuesday night, then injured himself two at-bats later. Without Kearns, the Reds managed only two singles and lost the second game of the doubleheader.
“It's tough,” Kearns said. “We're playing St. Louis and we've got an opportunity here. I think whenever you feel good at the plate and you can't get in there, it adds to it.”
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Kearns' injury not as serious
