Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon leaves game with dislocated thumb
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon left Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds with a dislocated left thumb, which will keep him out of Tuesday's All-Star Game.
Despite that bad news, initial results showed no ligament damage. His thumb was popped back in and he was able to move it under the inspection of medical director Dr. Lee Kaplan, M.D.
Asked whether a stint on the disabled list is in his future, Gordon said he wouldn't be shocked if he avoided it. As of now, a procedure seems unlikely.
"I think I'm a quick healer," Gordon said. "We'll see how it goes."
Gordon hurt it sliding head first into first base in the seventh inning for his third hit -- second of the infield variety -- of the afternoon to beat pitcher Manny Parra and Joey Votto's throw over. Miguel Rojas replaced him as a pinch-runner.
Gordon walked off the field before head athletic trainer Sean Cunningham could run over to him. He threw his batting helmet inside the dugout as he went to get it checked out. Gordon said he required surgery on his right thumb in the past, which took two months to heal.
"It's very unfortunate for Dee and for us," manager Dan Jennings said. "The fortunate part of it based upon x-rays right now nothing's broken. We'll see the level of soreness he's dealing with. It appears to be no ligament damage, which is a blessing in itself. The unfortunate part is we've got two All-Star caliber players that are both injured and will not be able to start. They were voted in by the fans, which is a great honor, but unfortunately they will not be able to go and start. I know (Bruce) Bochy has tough decisions to make. We also have an All-Star caliber shortstop who is certainly worthy being considered to join that team. I know it's a tough call for Boch, but at the same time Adeiny (Hechavarria) is definitely worthy of that. It's unfortunate because the fans voted in two worthy players."
Voted in as the National League's All-Star starting second baseman, Gordon was scheduled to fly to Cincinnati following Sunday's game for festivities.
Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who also got a starting nod in the outfield, will not participate after undergoing surgery on a left hamate fracture. Miami will not have any representatives at the Midsummer Classic if Gordon decides not to attend.
"When it rains it pours apparently," Stanton said. "Never good to see, and obviously I just feel bad that he won't be able to go make his first start in an All-Star Game. ... He got hurt giving his all. You can't second look. You can say, 'shouldn't have dove, shouldn't have done this,' but whatever. He's trying to make plays, trying to make stuff happen. It's unfortunate, obviously."
The 27-year-old Gordon, who went to the All-Star Game last season as a reserve for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is hitting .338 (third in the NL) with 46 runs, 16 doubles, four triples, one homer and 22 RBI in 84 games. He leads the majors with 122 hits and ranks second in the NL with 33 stolen bases.
"It is what it is," Gordon said. "You can't sit here and cry about it. You can't sit and cry about something that happened when you play the game the way I play. I'm gonna play it like that probably when I come back, too. I don't really dive headfirst into first that often, but I wasn't sure if he was gonna tag me or not… I had to go out a little further and try something I usually don't do going for the base like that."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
