Concern grows for ailing Guzman

03/15/2006
VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman left Space Coast Stadium late Wednesday morning and flew to Cincinnati to see Dr. Tim Kremchek, the team's senior medical consultant, for an examination of his ailing right shoulder.
Guzman has missed six consecutive days because of inflammation and bursitis. Guzman saw Dr. Bruce Thomas, the team's primary sports medicine physician, on Tuesday and received a second injection in the shoulder in five days. But the injections don't seem to cure the shoulder problem.
Guzman's agent, Stanley King, said that the injury could be much worse. Guzman told his representative that he hears something inside the shoulder every time he tries to throw the ball. Besides having difficulties throwing the ball, the switch-hitting Guzman has a tough time swinging right-handed.
"The MRI showed something inside the shoulder, but [the Nationals] don't want to draw any conclusions until after he goes to Cincinnati," King said.
The shoulder started to get worse in the bottom of the second inning of last Thursday's game against the Marlins.
In the top of that inning, with two outs, Marlins right fielder Mark Little hit a sharp grounder to Guzman, who backhanded the ball. He had plenty of time to get Little, but there wasn't any zip on his throw. The ball hit the ground and went past first baseman Nick Johnson for an error.
"I want Kremchek to read the MRI," general manager Jim Bowden said. "I'm not a doctor. He is not responding to the shots. We want a second opinion."
Guzman has underachieved since he signed a four-year, $16.8 million contract with the Nationals during the 2004 offseason. He spent most of the 2005 season batting below .200, but ended up at .219 for the season.
If Guzman is out for a long time, Royce Clayton will be the starting shortstop. Clayton signed a Minor League contract last February with a promise that he would compete against Guzman for the starting job.
Clayton also promised Bowden that he would accept being a backup to Guzman and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman.
Clayton is coming off a season in which he hit .270 with two home runs and 44 RBIs with the Diamondbacks. The Nationals are Clayton's fifth team in five years. He has spent most of the last two years batting second, and he was hitting in that slot on Wednesday afternoon against the Mets and went 1-for-3.
If he makes the roster, Clayton will get a salary of $1 million. Clayton said on Wednesday that the Nationals have not approached him about turning his Minor League deal to a Major League contract.
This spring, Clayton, 36, has made several sparkling plays at shortstop, but he is hitting .206. Told of the possibility that Guzman would miss time, Clayton said that he came to camp believing all along that he would be the starting shortstop.
"My approach hasn't changed in 15 years. It's not about to change now," Clayton said. "I'm healthy. That is the most important thing. I feel good out on the field. My legs are under me. I worked out all my aches and pains. Actually, I couldn't ask for a better spring."
Before this season, the only other time Clayton had to compete for a starting job was in 1996 when he was a member of the Cardinals. His competition was Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith. Clayton won the job and was productive, hitting .277 with two home runs and 36 RBIs in 129 games. That competition with Smith taught Clayton to be ready for anything.
"I'm going to be prepared every day," Clayton said. "St. Louis was my big lesson as far as experiencing splitting time with Ozzie. I found out that I couldn't go home and relax and say, 'I'm not playing tomorrow.' I had to eventually prepare myself to be ready to play. And this year is no different. I'm prepared to play every day."

Source: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/