Kendrick suffers mild concussion
LOS ANGELES - The first pitch of the sixth inning came in high and hard on Kyle Kendrick. He turned in an attempt to avoid Stephen Fife's pitch, but it struck him in the back of the head. Kendrick took first base and stayed in to pitch the bottom of the sixth, too.
LOS ANGELES - The first pitch of the sixth inning came in high and hard on Kyle Kendrick.
He turned in an attempt to avoid Stephen Fife's pitch, but it struck him in the back of the head. Kendrick took first base and stayed in to pitch the bottom of the sixth, too.
But a headache persisted after the inning and he was taken out of the game before the seventh. Kendrick was diagnosed with a mild concussion.
Kendrick will be re-evaluated in Pittsburgh today, when the Phils have a day off before beginning a three-game series with the Pirates.
"We'll see how I feel tomorrow," Kendrick said after yesterday's game. "That's the main thing. If it's good tomorrow, I won't miss a start."
A Phillies spokesman said it's possible the Phils could play Kendrick on the 7-day concussion disabled list, a rule that was instituted 2 years ago for head injuries.
Kendrick's next turn in the rotation would be scheduled to come Saturday at Citizens Bank Park against the Atlanta Braves.
Carlos Zambrano might have been a possibility before the weekend, but he was placed on the DL with a shoulder injury on Saturday. Tyler Cloyd, who pitched at Triple A Lehigh Valley on Saturday night, is another obvious replacement, but he is 0-3 with a 10.69 ERA in three starts since being demoted earlier this month.
Ethan Martin might be the best choice. He allowed two hits in eight shutout innings vs. Toledo yesterday to improve to 9-3 with a 4.57 ERA this season.
Kendrick, of course, is hoping the Phils won't have to find a replacement. His next start would come against a Braves team the Phillies still hope to catch in the standings.
Kendrick is 7-1 with a 2.86 ERA in 19 career games against Atlanta.
"I feel OK," Kendrick said "I have a headache. I feel like I got hit in the head. The good thing is it's mild. We'll take it easy tonight and see how I feel in the morning."
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