DUNEDIN, Fla. – Mike Sirotka joined the Toronto Blue Jays
on Thursday, angry that White Sox general manager Kenny Williams
jokingly referred to his injury situation as "Shouldergate."
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| 2000 SEASON STATISTICS |
| GM |
W |
L |
Sv |
K |
ERA |
| 32 |
15 |
10 |
0 |
128 |
3.79 |
|
|
The left-hander was acquired from the White Sox Jan. 14 in the
six-player trade that sent David Wells to Chicago. He is unsure
when or if he will pitch this year.
"I would really expect a little more respect on the matter from
Kenny," Sirotka said. "He doesn't have to deal with the injury.
He knows as a player, especially from a pitcher's standpoint, that
an injury to your throwing arm is in some way a threat to your
career. I didn't really appreciate that comment. But it's really
turned into a bit of a mess, anyway."
Toronto said it was unaware he had a torn rotator cuff and
labrum, and the Blue Jays intend to ask the commissioner's office
for additional compensation.
"We thought we were going to get a healthy pitcher, and we
didn't get a healthy pitcher and that's our concern," new Blue
Jays manager Buck Martinez said. "We want Mike to be healthy and
our concern now is to get Mike healthy."
Sirotka's left shoulder has been examined by three physicians.
The latest, Dr. James Andrews, said Wednesday the pitcher should
start a two-week exercise and therapy program but was a long-term
candidate for surgery.
"It's unknown at this point," Sirotka said as to when he would
resume pitching. "I was in between all the doctors' visits and
cortisone shots. Since January I've been injected four times, so
that means it's a minimum of at least five days without throwing."
The White Sox say Toronto was aware of Sirotka's condition and
that no additional compensation was warranted. Sandy Alderson, an
executive vice president in the commissioner's office, probably
will wind up deciding the matter.
"Right now, my main concern and the concern for everybody
should be my health, not the ramifications of the organizations,"
Sirotka said. "The organizations will always try to do the right
thing. I want the right thing to happen. I will be happy being a
Blue Jay and that's is where my focus is right now."
Sirotka said the dispute came down to "whether the Chicago
doctors knew the extent of the injury."
"I don't think they knew," he said. "When you go in for an
exam during the middle of the offseason, they will probably not
look at you as carefully as they would in an in-season type of
thing. I think the doctors thought it was a little inflammation at
the time, and that's a perfectly fine diagnosis, but ... you can't
make a decision off the first-time thing. I think they were acting
in good faith, but I was hurt at the time."
Sirotka said his arm had been troubling him for a long time.
"I didn't know if I'd start in the playoffs," he said. "I did
intensive rehab for five or six days and had a cortisone injection
in my elbow."
Sirotka said his arm didn't bother him much in that start.
"I hurt the shoulder compensating for the elbow somewhere in
between the end of the playoffs and the beginning of the Japan
thing (the postseason major league tour)," he said.
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 ESPN's Tim Kurkjian reports on the latest news in the David Wells-Mike Sirotka situation.
RealVideo: 28.8
Blue Jays manager Buck Martinez says his team gave up a good pitcher in David Wells.
avi: 1029 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Mike Sirotka says his main concern is to get healthy.
avi: 2100 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Mike Sirotka and Buck Martinez talk to the media about the recent trade.
RealVideo: 28.8
White Sox GM Kenny Williams discusses the Mike Sirotka trade.
RealVideo: 56.6
 Blue Jays GM Gord Ash hopes he can meet with the White Sox soon to settle the Mike Sirotka situation.
wav: 139 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
White Sox GM Kenny Williams does not feel the Blue Jays deserve compensation in the Mike Sirotka trade.
wav: 77 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Mike Sirotka figures his injury is the only explanation for his trade.
wav: 167 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Blue Jays manager Buck Martinez feels his team will be strong without a healthy Mike Sirotka.
wav: 234 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Did Toronto get hosed by Chicago in the trade? ESPN's Tim Kurkjian answers.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark tries to make sense of the Mike Sirotka injury situation.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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