Injury Bug Bites!

Well, nothing is ever simple or easy for the South Carolina Bombers.
The first two SIMS sees the Bombers sitting at 8-5 (5-2 & 3-3) in the Penthouse of the Billy Martin Division of the Thurman Munson League.
However, 33% of the Starting Lineup find them selves shelved on the 14 Day Disabled List!

These injuries are fairly significant because 1) of who they were to, and 2) the timing of them.

Orlando Bustamante, DH, finds himself on the DL for the first time in his ABL Career with a strained oblique.  Bustamante has been a sort of Ironman for South Carolina, missing just 1 game over the first 3 seasons.  But even at 33 years old, he's still very productive.  He adequately fills the cleanup spot, and no word yet on whether Bustamante spends a week or two in a rehab assignment.

Stephen "Action" Jackson, LF, strained a hamstring and is expected back in a SIM or two, but was DL'ed for precautionary purposes.  Jackson, in his first 4 full seasons in the ABL, Jackson has been in the Top 10 in OB three times.

Fernando Guzman, 1B has the most serious of the injuries.  He has strained his MCL and will be out until June.  What the Bombers will most most from Guzman's injury is his Gold Glove.  His offense isn't too shabby either.  So far this season, in 11 games he has 1 HR and 7 RBI's from the 8th spot in the order!  Last season Guzman hit 28 dingers and knocked in 84, so this is a double edged blow.

And the last injury sustained was to 37 year old SP Tony Ross with shoulder tendinitis.  He's expected to miss one or two starts, and more than likely a rehab is in order for Ross.

The roster moves made to fill out the roster was 2013 4th Round Draft Pick Morgan Cairns contract was purchased from AAA.  He'll be the 3rd catcher on the roster.

Then recalled is ABL SB King Lawrence Fox, Brant Lee and SP Dave Nicholson. 

Lineup adjustments will see the C platoon of Yarbrough and O'Neill both playing full time, with O'Neill starting at 1B.  Martin Evans will play CF, O'Quinn moving over to LF and off season free agent acquisition Craig O'Day will be the DH.  O'Day, 34, was signed for depth in the off season for 1.8M.  He was a full time player prior to this season for Montreal and Texas, but at his age his offensive numbers are declining somewhat.  Even with the steady decline over the last 3 season he still banged out 27 HR's and had 86 RBI's.