Coghlan Schedules Knee Surgery; Nunez on a Short Leash and More

   Chris Coghlan announced this morning that he would undergo surgery on Wednesday to repair the torn meniscus in his left knee.

    "I tried to come back," Coghlan said. "I went out there and threw three days ago, and I think that's when it really hit me that I'm not going to be able to do this. I had too much sharp pain in my knee."

   Coghlan injured the knee on May 25 when he celebrated the Marlins' walk-off victory by pieing Wes Helms in the face with shaving cream.

   Coghlan said that though he hasn't ruled out returning this season, recovery time is four to eight weeks. Dr. Lee Kaplan will perform the surgery.

   "This is two weeks in and it really hasn't gotten any better," he said. "It's very disappointing when you get injured."

  EDWIN RODRIGUEZ SAYS LEO NUNEZ MUST MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, OR ELSE.....Manager Edwin Rodriguez said he would sit down with closer Leo Nunez before this afternoon's game and tell him he must rely more on his fastball and less on his change-up. Rodriguez said that if Nunez does not make an immediate adjustment, he could relinquish his closer's role.

  "Before he was over-using his change-up and he was having trouble closing games," Rodriguez said. "He went back to using more of his fastball and he was having success. Now, all of a sudden, the last two outings, he has started to use his change-up more. He needs to make an adjustment. For now, I'm going to use him as the closer. But, then again, if he doesn't make the adjustment we have to find other options -- closer by committee."

  Nunez has blown his last two save opportunities and seven of 33 on the season. Only Washington's Tyler Clippard has more blown saves: nine.

  JOSH JOHNSON TOO TIRED TO PITCH 9TH....Critics were quick to pounce Saturday night when Rodriguez took out Josh Johnson and brought in Nunez to pitch the ninth. After all, Johnson had thrown just 99 pitches, well below his maximum, and appeared to be cruising. Fans booed. Broadcasters questioned. Print reporters raised their eyebrows. Reportedly, owner Jeffrey Loria -- seated next to the dugout --threw up his arms in disbelief.

   But there was more to the story than met the eye. Johnson was plum exhausted.

   "I was soaked, head to toe soaked (with sweat)," Johnson said. "I felt like I threw 120 pitches, 130 pitches, that's what it felt like. I had no idea I threw 99. I told him (Rodriguez) I was pretty tired. I was being honest. I told him I'd be honest with him."

   Rodriguez said sending sending Johnson back to the mound to pitch the ninth was a "no-brainer" -- until he learned how fatigued Johnson was.

"I was planning to send him back (out)," Rodriguez said. "That was a no-brainer. He should be out there. But, if he's tired and he goes back out there, chances are he might get hurt. So he was honest last night. I don't think there was anybody to blame. I think he made the right decision."

  CODY ROSS, GABY SANCHEZ STILL ON THE MEND...Cody Ross and Gaby Sanchez are not in the starting lineup for the third straight day. Ross said his stiff neck was much better Sunday and felt he could play if needed. But, with an off day on Monday, Rodriguez wanted to give him more time. Same with Sanchez, who is nursing a hamstring injury. Sanchez said he'll be ready to play on Tuesday when the Marlins open a 10-game road trip in Washington.

   LINEUPS:

   Marlins: 1. Hanley Ramirez, ss; 2. Emilio Bonifacio, cf; 3. Logan Morrison, lf; 4. Dan Uggla, 2b: 5. Mike Stanton, rf; 6. Chad Tracy, 1b; 7. Donnie Murphy, 3b; 8. Ronny Paulino, c; 9. Sean West, p.

   Cardinals: 1. Felipe Lopez, 3b; 2. Jon Jay, cf; 3. Albert Pujols, 1b; 4. Matt Holliday, lf; 5. Allen Craig, rf; 6. Yadier Molina, c; 7. Aaron Miles, 2b; 8. Jeff Suppan, p. 9. Brendan Ryan, ss.

    Umpires: HP -- John Hirschbeck; 1B -- James Hoye; 2B -- Laz Diaz; 3B -- Wally Bell

Comments

[davidw8]

We've been sitting two rows behind home plate for years, and have watched Loria meddle in dugout matters and (believe it or not) in matters relating to ticket holders being tossed from the stadium. But, all hell broke loose when Johnson didn't come out for the ninth inning. He not only threw up his hands, but in typical Loria fashion he began a torrid of texts to "you can guess who." About five minutes passed after his manic texting and he left his seat to go under the stands. While leaving several of us asked him what was going on with Johnson. His polite but quick response was that "I'm going to find out." "That's the $64,000.00 Question." Upon his return he advised us quite calmly and politely that Johnson's back tightened up. He returned to his seat almost, but not quite apologetically. Edwin was off the hot seat.
During his manic texting Loria kept looking into the dugout as if wanting to know what was going on.
How's that for great working conditions. The boss watches your every move and meddles even during the game.

[pumpsiegreen]

Schnoria is a first class Sphincter and he deserves what he gets with his Los Miami Expos...the only hope the fans have is for him to drop dead and for his estate be forced to sell...they can only hope...

[CoachG]

Loria in German terms that mean dooshbag... Not really But ill tell ya that he's about as useless as a whales vagin@ when it comes to being a MLB owner..