NEWSLETTER
The Cubs already have about 57 players on the Injured List, and the last thing they need is for starting shortstop Nico Hoerner to join them. And it would be even worse if the injury was caused BY A DANG UMPIRE. (See updates below for the extent of the injury.)
In the bottom of the first today, Jurickson Profar sent a triple to the wall in center. As Jason Heyward readied to throw the ball in, Nico Hoerner collided with the umpire who was heading out to observe the play. Both went down hard, and Hoerner was reviewed by the trainer and David Ross after the play. He jogged a bit to confirm he could go and thus stayed in, but it was clear that the collision hurt.
I can’t say I’ve ever seen that before, especially in that situation – where the heck else was the umpire looking around except for avoiding players? There was just no reason for him to even be close to Hoerner, let alone never look down to avoid a collision. Unless I’m missing something (video of the play is virtually non-existent at the moment).
More if we have it. For now, all seems to be OK? I just hope it’s not another one of those things where it feels all right in the moment, and then later when the body cools down, you start to feel it.
UPDATE: Unbelievable. He’s out:
#Cubs Nico Hoerner is out of the game. Illdemaro Vargas in at shortstop.
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) May 11, 2022
Clearly it was not feeling/looking as good as everyone hoped initially. This is a freaking nightmare.
UPDATE 2: It’s his ankle. Thanks, ump:
Nico Hoerner exited today's game with right ankle soreness. He will be further evaluated. #Cubs
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) May 11, 2022
UPDATE 3: It’s legitimately hurt. I am extremely irate right now:
Nico Hoerner has a right ankle sprain. Swelling needs to decrease before #Cubs know severity of injury.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) May 11, 2022
Ross says Hoerner might need a couple days off but that he should be ok. X-Rays were negative. #Cubs
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) May 11, 2022
It’s good that X-rays are negative, but that really doesn’t tell you much of anything useful about an ankle sprain, where the question is whether there is any tendon or ligament damage. This could be a couple day thing or a couple month thing, if it winds up being surprisingly bad come tomorrow.
I swear to God if Hoerner has meaningful damage in there and winds up missing substantial time, I will never forgive that umpire. KEEP YOUR GD HEAD ON A SWIVEL AND STAY OUT OF THE F***ING PLAYERS’ WAY.
