Back-up catcher and surprisingly-good-hitter Steve Clevenger has been out for a week with an oblique strain. Now he’s out with broken cartilage. Well, actually, he was always out with broken cartilage. And an oblique strain. But mostly the break. And it’s a good thing. From ESPN:
Clevenger, currently on the disabled list because of a side injury, actually has a displaced fracture of the cartilage in his rib cage and only a slight oblique strain. He was diagnosed only with an oblique strain when he went on the DL at the start of the last road trip.
Oblique strains can be slow to heal, but since Clevenger’s issue has more to do with the damaged cartilage, his recovery time could be quicker.
“This is baseball, things like this happen, and if you don’t dwell on them and look forward to getting healthy and getting back on the field, it makes you a better person,” Clevenger said. “It gives me a bit more boost that these guys are back in town. I get to go out and watch the game so I’m happy they’re in town. But to hear good news that you’re progressing is always good.”
So, this is one of those times when a “break” is better than a “strain.”
When he first went down, no one was expecting Clevenger to be back in a few weeks, and that still remains the case. Although the injury is not as severe as feared, Clevenger has no return date yet in mind. He might start some light swinging on Wednesday, but it’s going to be another couple weeks at least before he’s back behind the plate.