Right-hander Jose Contreras, making his first start for the White Sox since July 13, suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon during a freak play at first base tonight and is expected to miss the rest of the 2008 season.
On a routine grounder to first baseman Nick Swisher that should have ended the second inning, Contreras was running from the mound to the bag, outdistancing the Boston Red Sox' Jacoby Ellsbury. Once Contreras went from the infield grass to the patch of dirt near first base, he began to lose his balance and stumbled to the ground as Swisher's throw skipped off his glove.
Contreras' momentum took him down the first-base line, where he rolled over in obvious pain, clutching the ankle.
The location issues that raised red flags over Contreras' aching right elbow -- an injury he originally kept from the White Sox -- appeared to be in the past before his mishap at first base. Of the right-hander's 34 pitches, 21 were strikes. He got ahead of leadoff hitter J.D. Drew 0-2 in the first inning with two 94 mph fastballs before fanning him -- looking -- with a 79 mph changeup.
Right-hander D.J. Carrasco replaced Contreras in the second inning.
Contreras, 36, is 7-6 with a 4.54 ERA.
When Contreras was on he was a solid pitcher. Before injury he wasn't exactly dependable anyhow. He can be replace if KW does his job. Nice pick up from Royals (Ramirez). Hopefully Logan rots in minors.He doesn't have the guts to be a solid mlb pitcher.