Jason Marquis Out 4 to 6 Weeks

Added on Aug 15, 2011 by Scott in

MLB

The surging Arizona Diamondbacks took a major hit yesterday when starting pitcher Jason Marquis broke his right shinbone after being struck by a line drive. Marquis is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks. The timing of the injury comes at an inopportune tine for Arizona, who is engaged in a fierce battle with San Francisco in the NL West.

Marquis stayed in the game for an inning before dropping to one knee in obvious discomfort.

“I thought it was just tightness from a bruise,” Marquis said. “The pain was enough I could deal with to stay out there. I just felt something pop and (team physician Dr. Michael Lee) said it completed the break.”

Marquis was brought to the Diamondbacks in a trade deadline deal with the Nationals. He was supposed to help fill out a starting rotation led by Cy Young candidate Ian Kennedy. In three starts, Marquis is 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA. Overall on the season, he is 8-6 with a 4.43 ERA.

The 32-year-old veteran has made the rounds in his 12 major league seasons. His best season came in 2004 with St. Louis when he as 15-7 with a 3.71 ERA. Two years later he was a member of the Cardinals World Series winning team. He’s played for six franchises and compiled a 104-98 career record.

Arizona has been on a tear since the All-Star break. On July 15th they were 49-44, 4.5 games behind the Giants. They now sit in first place at 68-53, winners of six straight and two games ahead of those same Giants. Tonight they begin a three-game road set with the dominant Phillies, who have won 13 of their last 15 and own the best record in baseball at 78-41.

The D-Backs will likely comb the waiver wire to replace Marquis. Bruce Chen is one possibility. Another would be Carlos Zambrano, who was last seen clearing out his Cubs locker after being ejected for throwing at the Braves Chipper Jones. Zambrano is a major headcase, but is also a proven starter and three-time All-Star.

Source: ESPN.com