Walker's Hand Healing Quickly
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- After the Pirates avoided a sweep with a 10-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park Thursday, injured second baseman Neil Walker reaffirmed he will not go on the disabled list despite dislocating his right pinky finger Wednesday night.
Walker left the ballpark Wednesday wearing a splint on the finger in question. Since then, according to MLB.com Pirates beat reporter Tom Singer, the splint has been removed and the swelling has subsided.
The switch-hitter says once he is able to swing a bat from the left side without pain, he will know he is ready to return to the lineup; in a left-handed batting stance, the right hand, by holding the bottom of the bat, does most of the work.
Walker was sitting on an impressive 14 home runs and .290 average through 114 games until a collision with Dodgers infielder Mark Ellis while trying to turn a double play hurt his finger. He is chasing Bill Mazeroski's team record of 19 single-season homers by a second baseman, set in 1958.
The Pirates begin a six-game road trip in St. Louis Friday at 8:05. "Pirates Pregame" with Dan Zangrilli and Kevin Orie begins at 6:40 on your flagship home of the Bucs, SportsRadio 93.7 The Fan.
