ST. LOUIS (AP) -Randy Johnson returned home to Arizona on Wednesday, a day after a herniated disk landed the Diamondbacks pitcher on the 15-day disabled list for the third time this season.
Arizona manager Bob Melvin said the 43-year-old left-hander has a personal trainer that he’s rehabbed with in the past who could combine efforts with team medical personnel. The club, before playing the third game of a four-game set against the Cardinals on Wednesday night, also thought it was unnecessary for Johnson to travel to a three-game series in Cincinnati before the All-Star break.
“We just felt like it was better to get him home and get him with these people in the same place,” Melvin said. “We’ll just get him home.”
The plan calls for Johnson’s injury to be re-evaluated once he’s eligible to come off the disabled list. The move was made retroactive to June 29, and he can return July 14.
Melvin said no further medical tests were planned for Johnson, who is 4-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 10 starts.
“It is what it is,” Melvin said. “It’s something he’s dealt with before and he knows he’s going to have to deal with it again, and I think he has the mental tenacity to be able to deal with that.”
Melvin said surgery is not a serious consideration at this point. Johnson had back surgery in the offseason.
“He has pitched with this before and we have to an extent rely on how he’s feeling,” the manager said. “It’ll be a work in progress.”
Yusmeiro Petit, a 22-year-old rookie, allowed one run in 5 1-3 innings as Johnson’s replacement on Tuesday in a 7-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Melvin said Petit, who earned his second career victory, would take Johnson’s spot in the rotation again on Sunday in the final game before the break.
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