CHICAGO (AP) -Frustrated by his latest bout with a sore back that has left him sidelined during his team’s push for the playoffs, Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede will seek a second opinion.
Crede, who is eligible to be a free agent after this season, had back surgery last year but appeared to have bounced back with a decent first half in 2008.
When his back flared up, he spent a month on the disabled list from July 25-Aug. 24 and most recently hasn’t played since Sept. 2, when it acted up again. He received his second injection of the year last Friday to help with the pain.
“Right now for me personally it’s just beyond frustration,” Crede said Thursday. “It’s just really hard to talk about, you know, because you are so used to doing the same thing every day and getting to the field and hitting and going out on the field and stretching with the guys. … It’s not only frustrating for me but as well as my family because they all want to see me go out there and do well.”
g .216 with one homer and six RBIs in 11 games during the second. He was 4-for-23 after coming off the disabled list before being sidelined again.
“It’s still just a little sore and I’m taking it day to day, and you know we’re going to get another opinion by a doctor and just kinda go from there,” said Crede, who’s not been able to do baseball drills recently.
He’ll see a specialist in Dallas, probably while the White Sox are on a pivotal road trip next week.
“We’re pretty hopeful it’s just a flareup and just an irritation,” he said. “The last MRI we got a positive result in the fact there was no structural damage and no need for any more surgery. … That’s what we’re hoping to hear again.”
If he can’t return this season – and manager Ozzie Guillen said earlier he’s not counting on him to make it back – Crede may have played his final game with the team that drafted him in 1996.
He was a key player in Chicago’s World Series winning season in 2005 with his clutch hitting and stellar play at third during the playoffs. Josh Fields replaced Crede last season when he played only 47 games before surgery on June 12. Now with Crede out again, the White Sox have turned to former shortstop Juan Uribe to man third base because of his fielding.
s and Crede’s agent, Scott Boras.
“I love Joe Crede,” Guillen said.
“I talked to him and said don’t worry about it. Vladimir Guerrero was a free agent after he was hurt and he got his money. Magglio (Ordonez) was hurt all year and he got his money. He just has to worry about himself first,” Guillen added. “I’d like to have him back, but that’s not my choice.”
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