Garciaparra injures groin, will have MRI

April 21, 2005|Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- Nomar Garciaparra of the Chicago Cubs was carried off the field with a groin injury after grounding into a double play, then collapsing just in front of the batter's box in the third inning of last night's game against the Cardinals.

The slumping Garciaparra, hitting .157 after going 0 for 2 with a strikeout, took a few steps toward first base before falling. The team said the severity of the injury to Garciaparra's left groin was unclear and said he likely would undergo an MRI exam today.

Jerry Hairston replaced Garciaparra in the lineup, playing second base with Neifi Perez moving from second to shortstop.

Garciaparra's slump landed him in the sixth spot in the Cubs' lineup. He'd batted third all season but is in a 4-for-23 skid and has four RBIs this season.

He volunteered to move down in the order if it would help the team.

"I'm not going to be upset about it," Garciaparra said before the game. "I'm just struggling a little bit, just off. That's the nature of the game and I'll just keep working through it."

Derrek Lee, batting .385 with four home runs and 17 RBIs, switched places with Garciaparra in the lineup. Manager Dusty Baker thought it was best not to tinker with the rest of the order.