Capuano Leaves Game In Third Frame With Leg Injury

If someone is playing a cruel joke on the Dodgers, just stop it! Because it’s not funny. The Dodgers had to remove Chris Capuano from the game tonight against San Diego in the top of the second inning after he injured himself while covering first base on a ground ball.

After Capuano allowed four runs in the first inning to the Padres, he suffered an apparent leg or foot injury while covering the first base bag on a ground-out in the top of the second frame. With two outs in the top of the second inning, Yonder Alonso hit a grounder to first, which forced Adrian Gonzalez to come off of the bag, and feed Capuano covering first base. This is a play they work on over and over again in spring training. This time Capuano appeared to have tripped over the first base bag. He did get the out in the process, but had to be removed from the game after he walked Jesus Guzman to lead off the top of the third inning.

Capuano had to exit the game with a leg injury in the top of the thid.-Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Capuano allowed five total runs on five hits through only two frames, while walking two. He did not record a whiff, and made 43 pitches.

The Dodgers entered the season with three extra starting pitchers, and now all of a sudden find themselves facing the cold reality that they now have zero of those starters left. Aaron Harang was traded to Colorado, and Ted Lilly remains on the Disabled list. Lilly is scheduled to pitch in a rehab game tonight, but could be called up soon if Capuano has to miss any sort of extended time. (Lilly actually pitched tonight for the Quakes in Rancho Cucamonga, and made 81 pitches.)

Of course Capuano is replacing the injured Zack Greinke, who had his collar bone brutally broken during Carlos Quentin’s cowardly and unprovoked attack in San Diego last Thursday night.

Capuano appeared to have injured his lower leg, and was seen to be limping when coming out of the game in the third inning. Right hander Matt Guerrier was brought into replaced Capuano on the mound for the Dodgers in the third inning. Ted Lilly may get his wish to be placed back on the active roster, and in the rotation after all, because it appears the Dodgers may need him if Capuano is seriously hurt.

The Dodgers have some scheduled off-days this month, and with those days off, and some more rotation shuffling won’t need a fifth starter until April 27.