In recent years, a number of major league players have missed time in action due to injuries suffered while not playing baseball.
Sammy Sosa threw his back out with a violent sneeze. Mat Latos, apparently trying to avoid the same fate, strained his left side trying to hold a sneeze in.
In the non-sneeze category, Clint Barmes once broke his left collarbone hauling a slab of deer meat he acquired while hunting with his teammate Todd Helton. Russell Branyan injured his toe on a hotel room coffee table. Kerry Wood hurt his right side while getting out of a hot tub.
It's even happened to minor leaguers. Former Cubs No. 1 draft pick Mark Pawelek, who never made the major leagues, hurt his right elbow when he tripped over his PlayStation.
We've got another one to add to the list this morning:
David Robertson fell down stairs moving boxes - in a walking boot. Xrays negative, but he'll miss time
— Daniel Barbarisi (@DanBarbarisi) March 8, 2012
Robertson is a key setup man in the Yankees' bullpen, the eighth inning guy they often go to before Mariano Rivera closes out victories. It's not known how long Robertson will be out, but:
Robertson will have MRI today. Not much swelling, but hes in pain walking, and limping.
— Daniel Barbarisi (@DanBarbarisi) March 8, 2012
And this doesn't sound good at all:
Joe Girardi still optimistic that Robertson will be back in time for season, but only time will tell
— Daniel Barbarisi (@DanBarbarisi) March 8, 2012
I'm making fun of this, a bit, but clearly, it's no laughing matter for the Yankees; Brian Cashman is probably sifting through piles of paper on his desk, looking through lists of free agent pitchers who are still looking for work.
Lesson for major league players: hire a mover if you've got boxes to move up and down stairs.