St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Brian Matusz in the dugout after he pitched against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
Another pitcher has been injured bunting. Not in a game, in practice.
If you needed one more argument in favor of the designated hitter, here it is:
Matusz hit in nose during bunting drill. Start tomorrow in question
You see, we're in the midst of interleague play and so American League pitchers have to practice hitting, something they haven't done since spring training, if then. You might remember that Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett fractured his eye orbital during spring training this season attempting a similar maneuver.
So now, because Brian Matusz couldn't even bunt properly in practice, he might have to miss a start.
I know I'm going to hear from all the purists again, but isn't it past time to stop asking pitchers to do what very few of them do well -- bunt or hit? Let them pitch. Let hitters hit. With year-round interleague play coming in 2013, it's time.
End of rant. Have at it.
For more on the Orioles, please visit Camden Chat.
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