CINCINNATI -- Ken Griffey Jr. dislocated his right shoulder
while diving for a fly ball Saturday, the second year in a row that
the Cincinnati Reds outfielder was hurt in the season's first week.
Griffey grabbed his right shoulder and rolled on the ground in
severe pain after diving for a fly ball in the eighth inning of a
game against the Chicago Cubs.
He left the game immediately and had the shoulder popped back
into place by team physician Dr. Timothy Kremchek. Griffey was
taken to a hospital for tests to see how much damage was done.
There was no immediate estimate on how long he'll be sidelined.
Griffey turned his back to the infield and tried to run down
Paul Bako's drive with the bases loaded and two outs, and the Cubs
leading 6-5. He stretched his right arm and dived, but the ball
eluded his outstretched glove.
Griffey landed hard on his right side, rolled over, grabbed the
shoulder and kicked his legs in pain. He remained on the ground for
several minutes, making no attempt to get up, while teammates ran
to him. Bako wound up with a triple.
After trainers reached him, Griffey got up and walked out the
center field gate next to the Reds' bullpen, holding his right arm
carefully.
Injuries have marred his stay in his hometown. Since the Reds
obtained him from Seattle in February 2000, Griffey has sustained a
series of leg injuries.
He pulled a hamstring in 2000 and tore the same hamstring late
in spring training 2001. Last season, he tore a tendon in his right
knee after rounding third base in the sixth game of the season.
He has played in only 186 games the last three season and hit 31
homers. His only homer this season left him at 469.
He's the second star to suffer a major shoulder injury this
week. The Yankees' Derek Jeter hurt his right shoulder on opening
day in a violent collision at third base.