NLDS: Weeks injures left knee; replaced on roster by Escobar

By Susan Shemanske
Journal Times

Sunday, October 5, 2008 6:26 PM CDT

MILWAUKEE – A close play at first base during the second inning of Saturday’s National League Division Series game against the Philadelphia Phillies proved costly for Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks.

Weeks suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee and was replaced on the Brewers’ 25-man postseason roster by shortstop Alcides Escobar.

Veteran Ray Durham, a July 20 acquisition from the San Francisco Giants, started at second Sunday for Game 4 of the NLDS.

Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said Weeks will need surgery to correct the problem. The surgery has not yet been scheduled, but general manager Doug Melvin said the surgery is considered minor and that Weeks likely would be able to return to action in 10-12 days.

Under Major League Baseball rules, a player taken off the roster because of an injury cannot return to the roster in the next round, meaning Weeks would not be eligible until the World Series, should the Brewers get that far.

Weeks suffered the injury trying to beat out a hard-hit ground ball to third. He became tangled with Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard and was limping noticeably as he left the field.

Weeks played on defense in the top of the third, then left the game and was replaced by Craig Counsell.

After the game, Weeks said he suffered the injury when he stepped awkwardly on the back of the first-base bag. Weeks said the injury was similar to one he suffered in July during a three-game series in Colorado.

He underwent an MRI Sunday morning.

Melvin said the Brewers decided to make the roster move right away because “we’re at a time now where you can’t go short on players.”

Escobar was one of 10 players called up Sept. 1 when major league rosters could be expanded. He hit .328 and stole 34 bases at Class AA Huntsville.

Escobar appeared in nine games for the Brewers in September. He had two hits and was 0-for-1 in stolen base attempts.

Weeks was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the first three games of the NLDS. He committed an error in Game 1 that led to a three-run third inning. Philadelphia went on to win the game 3-1.

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