Mariners Gutierrez bruised, but 'OK' after hitting wall

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Mariners outfielder bruised, but 'OK' after crashing into wall
Detroit News wire services

Detroit -- Fortunately for Mariners outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, his injury looked worse than it was.

Gutierrez suffered a bruised left elbow and left knee, as well as bruised ribs on his left side, and an abrasion on the knee after crashing into the right-center scoreboard in the second inning of the Mariners' 9-7 loss to the Tigers, the Seattle Times reported.

X-rays of Gutierrez's elbow were negative, and he is listed as day to day, but Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu told the Times that Gutierrez might be able to play in Thursday's series finale. He later acknowledged that was "wishful thinking."

Said Gutierrez, who was walking gingerly after the game, "I feel OK. I feel good. I just went to get the ball when I hit the wall, and I hit the ground. That's all I remember."

Gutierrez lay stunned on the warning track and had to be helped off the field.

"That was a bang," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "You could hear it in the dugout -- and I don't hear real good."