Neifi Perez suffers ankle injury, could be out for 3 months

[Diffusion]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) - Chicago Cubs shortstop Neifi Perez is expected to be out of action for up to three months after suffering a torn left ankle ligament in Friday's Spring Training game against the San Diego Padres.

 

According to Mark O’Neal, Cubs athletic trainer, Perez, 32, sustained the injury while warming down after the Cubs' penultimate Cactus League game. Further details as to just what happened were sketchy.

 

The Cubs will decide in the next few days whether surgery will be necessary after consultation with medical staff. In the meantime, manager Dusty Baker described the injury as a big blow, but vowed that his team would pull through.

 

"[Neifi] doesn't deserve this, not after what he's done for the team," Baker said. "It's a bad break for him and for us, he’s looking at a few months out. You've just got to cross your fingers and hope he gets back sooner. We need him."

 

"But you just got to deal with it, so that's what we're going to do. I mean, there's nothing else you can do. So we're going to play ball just like always. We'll be okay for Opening Day, don't worry."

 

Perez, who hit .274 in 154 games for the Cubs in 2005 and was signed to a two-year extension over the winter, had been in the running for a starting shortstop job this spring. The Cubs will now have to rethink the situation before their season starts Monday in Cincinnati.

 

"I guess young Ronny [Cedeno] will maybe get a chance to show us what he can do," said Baker. "But we'll maybe try to bring someone else in as well. We'll see what happens."

 

The injury is just the latest of a series of setbacks for the Cubs this spring. Kerry Wood and Mark Prior will both begin the season on the disabled list.

 

"It's as frustrating for me as it is for the fans," added Baker. "You just don't believe it. I'm tired of it. You know, enough's enough. I always said I don't believe in curses, but when stuff like this happens, I don't know, maybe I should start believing it or something."

 

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

Don't know whether to laugh or cry...

[David]

Don't I wish.. APRIL FOOLS

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Troll :lol:

[Derwood]

In related news, Jose Macias was signed to a 10 year contract

[NCCubFan]

This is one April Fool's joke I wish were true.

[WindyCity]

I fell for it -- for half a second. Nice try. :lol:

[ManEatingTarp]

That would be horrible news.

 

 

 

...for the Cardinals.

 

 

 

Happy April fools guys.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Very good April Fools. I fell for it.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

That would be horrible news.

 

 

 

...for the Cardinals.

 

 

 

Happy April fools guys.

How soon Cardinal fans forget the GS Neifi hit on a nationally televised game. Neifi = Cardinal killer

[CuseCubFan69]

That's funny because after the trade with Texas I thought so this is why they made the deal. Thanks Diffusion for the holy cow feeling that I felt for a brief moment.

[Cubfanintheknow]

You had me right until "penultimate." I don't think the word's even in the AP stylebook.

[Shawon12]

Neifi being hurt would not be a good thing despite him being the whipping boy for most of you. Like Macias, Neifi is not the problem, but I guess it's easy to pile on him.

[frostwyrm]

I noticed ZZThorn has returned. Is he really back or is it a mod playing an April Fool's joke?

[Bote McBoteface]

hah, you had me so excited there for a second. I had no clue it was a joke until about half way through.

[Electron Blue]

Well Done =D>

[Mizzou]

I got excited when I read the thread title.

 

I hope people don't do stuff like this all day. It's not funny.

[Soul]

Too bad only our *GOOD* players suffer injuries :twisted:

 

Nice April Fools.

[Brendan]

MESA, Ariz. (AP) - Chicago Cubs shortstop Neifi Perez is expected to be out of action for up to three months after suffering a torn left ankle ligament in Friday's Spring Training game against the San Diego Padres.

 

According to Mark O’Neal, Cubs athletic trainer, Perez, 32, sustained the injury while warming down after the Cubs' penultimate Cactus League game. Further details as to just what happened were sketchy.

 

The Cubs will decide in the next few days whether surgery will be necessary after consultation with medical staff. In the meantime, manager Dusty Baker described the injury as a big blow, but vowed that his team would pull through.

 

"[Neifi] doesn't deserve this, not after what he's done for the team," Baker said. "It's a bad break for him and for us, he’s looking at a few months out. You've just got to cross your fingers and hope he gets back sooner. We need him."

 

"But you just got to deal with it, so that's what we're going to do. I mean, there's nothing else you can do. So we're going to play ball just like always. We'll be okay for Opening Day, don't worry."

 

Perez, who hit .274 in 154 games for the Cubs in 2005 and was signed to a two-year extension over the winter, had been in the running for a starting shortstop job this spring. The Cubs will now have to rethink the situation before their season starts Monday in Cincinnati.

 

"I guess young Ronny [Cedeno] will maybe get a chance to show us what he can do," said Baker. "But we'll maybe try to bring someone else in as well. We'll see what happens."

 

The injury is just the latest of a series of setbacks for the Cubs this spring. Kerry Wood and Mark Prior will both begin the season on the disabled list.

 

"It's as frustrating for me as it is for the fans," added Baker. "You just don't believe it. I'm tired of it. You know, enough's enough. I always said I don't believe in curses, but when stuff like this happens, I don't know, maybe I should start believing it or something."

 

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

Don't know whether to laugh or cry...

 

i hate you

[Andy]

Good work, you had me for a minute until I realized that only our best players get hurt

[UMFan83]

Do you guys really have that much hate for Neifi to OPENLY wish he injured himself? Honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of Neifi, but when coming off the bench he does have some stuff to offer to the team.

 

A) His solid D makes him a good late inning replacement

B) He is semi-fast

C) He is streaky and when on a hot streak is valuable

D) He is (sadly) one of the leaders of the team and helps the chemistry more then most give him credit for.

E) He can play both MI positions well

 

I can see why Neifi on the team is a detriment, with Dusty itching to play him whenever possible, but a Neifi used correctly is not necessarily a bad Neifi.

 

It's not like Neifi kicked your dog or anything. Openly wishing players got hurt has never been in good taste and Neifi is no exception. I'd shudder to think about the reaction of this board if Jim Edmonds ever got hurt.

[Roast]

I HATE you. I fell for that. I saw the title and i was like "YES!!!....crap...april fools. I hate my life"

[imb]

sob, pretty sure this is the second april fools joke i fell for on here.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

Got me.

[polosprt009]

Do you guys really have that much hate for Neifi to OPENLY wish he injured himself? Honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of Neifi, but when coming off the bench he does have some stuff to offer to the team.

 

A) His solid D makes him a good late inning replacement

B) He is semi-fast

C) He is streaky and when on a hot streak is valuable

D) He is (sadly) one of the leaders of the team and helps the chemistry more then most give him credit for.

E) He can play both MI positions well

 

I can see why Neifi on the team is a detriment, with Dusty itching to play him whenever possible, but a Neifi used correctly is not necessarily a bad Neifi.

 

It's not like Neifi kicked your dog or anything. Openly wishing players got hurt has never been in good taste and Neifi is no exception. I'd shudder to think about the reaction of this board if Jim Edmonds ever got hurt.

 

Eh, it's all in good fun if you ask me. I don't think anyone openly wishes injury upon anyone, no matter who they are. As much as an injured Edmonds or Pujols would initially trigger our bitter rival sensors and have Cubs fans rejoice in a few high fives, I don't think anyone would truly be serious in being happy for them being injured. It is just good natured ribbing and nothing more than that. As for our scrappy little Neifi, I know we all hold a place for him in our heart ;) I woke up today expecting at least one April Fools article like this, and who better than to write one on than Baker's favorite side dish and our favorite player to love when he's on a hot streak (and disown when he's not, for that matter)?

 

Article got me until about the halfway point. nicely done

[frostwyrm]

The only player I want to get hurt is Bonds, and even in his case I just want him hurt bad enough to cause retirement. I don't wish permanent pain/disability on him, although he probably deserves a little bit of that.