Lehr to miss start with injured groin

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer 8:42 PM Sunday, September 6, 2009

ATLANTA — Justin Lehr, trying to make an impression for next season, won’t be making one in Colorado. It is difficult to make an impression in Cincinnati when the Cincinnati Reds are in Denver, but that’s where Lehr will be.

He was scheduled to face the Rockies today, Sept. 7, but a tender right groin is forcing him to miss at least one start. His place today will be taken by Homer Bailey, who will be pitching on his normal four days of rest.

“You have to be careful with that groin,” said manager Dusty Baker. “Don Newcombe told me years ago that pitching with a sore groin is what ruined his career. Lehr’s groin is not pulled, and we don’t want it to pull.”

Lehr agrees with the move, even though he believes he could pitch and has pitched under worse conditions.

“I could battle through it and I want to go, but (pitching coach) Dick Pole said, ‘Let’s not jeopardize the whole season.’ This way I can finish the season and make four or five more starts. I totally agree.

“It would be foolish to push it and end the season like that,” Lehr said. “It’s precautionary. This way I can come back and finish strong, which is important for me.”

Lefthander Matt Maloney will be recalled from Class AA Carolina Tuesday and face the Rockies that night.

Bruce is anxious

Jay Bruce had three hits Saturday on rehab for Class AAA Louisville and Baker expects a call any minute from Bruce with the message: “I’m ready.”

Said Baker, “I’d like to see him play a couple more games. Three hits doesn’t make him ready. I’d like him to be real ready. We need to see who he was facing, what kind of pitches he hit, how is he running, how his arm feels. There is more than being ready than just hits.

“Are your legs sore? Are you fatigued?” Baker added. “He’ll be back. Just a matter of when. I’m sure I’ll hear from Jay Monday or Tuesday. If I’m Jay, I’m calling Monday (after Louisville’s regular season ends).”

A new McDonald

It was shortstop Paul Janish and outfielder Wladimir Balentien’s turn to rest Sunday, replaced by Adam Rosales and Darnell McDonald.

“Do what I’ve been doing, mixing and matching and trying to keep everybody sharp and a chance to play and hope they keep playing well,” said Baker.

Baker was asked if McDonald has been a different guy during his second try this season after failing when he made the team out of spring training.

“He’s the same guy, but he has had more at-bats to be a different guy,” said Baker. “He had success in Triple-A. He is the same guy, but he is better prepared to be a role player this time. I don’t think he’d ever made a team out of spring training and he put a lot of pressure on himself to stay here.

“I could see his first time here every at-bat was do-or-die for him,” Baker added. “That puts pressure on you and you don’t need to put pressure on yourself.”

Quote of the day

“Not too bad to be player of the year on that team.” — Dusty Baker, talking about a plaque in the press box for being Atlanta’s Player of the Year in 1972 on a team with Hank Aaron, Darrell Evans, Orlando Cepeda, Rico Carty, Ralph Garr and Phil Niekro.

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Lehr, McDonald, Balentien & Wells don't need to be w/ this team next year. They just aren't the answer. Gomes is certainly making a case for himself to stick around, possibly start. I say WT goes away, cut your loss w/ him. He isn't worth the trouble. Bruce needs to wake up & make adjustments @ the plate. Pitchers around the league have already figured him out. Until he makes adjustments, he'll go nowhere.

Pete
10:29 AM, 9/7/2009

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