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Pain cuts into gain
Injuries to Stars diminish several standout seasons
By BRAD SHEPARD
For The Huntsville Times

It doesn't do Michael Brantley any good to think about the season that might have been.

When the Huntsville Stars' leadoff-hitting center fielder suffered a high ankle sprain on a stolen base attempt on June 26, he was on pace to have one of the best table-setting seasons in franchise history.

Instead of continuing his torrid pace, Brantley has since missed 26 games, and his numbers seem frozen in time: .327 batting average, 102 hits, 25 stolen bases, 64 runs and a .402 on-base percentage.

"It's unfortunate, but I've got to deal with it and hope it won't be a nagging injury that stays with me the rest of the year," Brantley said.

"Hopefully when I get back, I can start where I left off."

Brantley said he's only "days away" from returning. When he does get back, he may not recognize his team.

Currently, catcher Angel Salome (shoulder), pitchers Donovan Hand (oblique) and Derek Miller (shoulder), and utility man Michael Garciaparra (groin) have joined Brantley on the disabled list. Also, shortstop Alcides Escobar has only been used as a designated hitter this week because of a finger injury. All-Star first baseman Chris Errecart also just returned from a sprained wrist that kept him out 18 games.

With production like that gone, it's no wonder the Stars have lost six straight and are five games out of first place. At least Salome found out good news from the doctor Thursday when he was cleared to return by the start of next week.

"It's frustrating, but in the same breath, it's part of the game," said healthy Stars third baseman Mat Gamel. "You see how it is out there. We've just got to get healthy again."

The injuries have hit Huntsville hard in the standings, but more importantly, it has affected the development of prospects.

Though most of the players who have been hurt likely would have stayed in Huntsville, Brantley might have been promoted by now - at least to Triple-A Nashville.

"It's set him back developmentally because he was having a tremendous season," Stars hitting coach Sandy Guerrero said. "He's hurt, and he's regressed a little - not on his abilities, but you can't help but think of the numbers and where they may be.

"As difficult as this game is, when you miss just two or three days, you're back to zero."

Guerrero said that as polished as Brantley is, it could take only a week or two for Brantley to get his timing and swing back.

Errecart knows firsthand. After returning to the lineup this week, he was 1-for-10 entering Thursday night.

"But I've done better than I expected the last couple of games," he said. "I'm beginning to feel a lot more confident."

It's a process Garciaparra knows that very well - he has dealt with his share of bangs and bruises over his seven-year minor-league career.

Garciaparra had finally gotten a chance to play this year because of his teammates' injuries, but then he got hurt, too.

"I usually give myself a day to feel sorry for myself," Garciaparra said with a smile. "Then, you just have to go out there and try to get better."