by ndnsports staff reports
It’s been an interesting start to the MLB season for three of Indian countries Native American baseball players, a start that has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of the lows. What looked to be a promising season for Joba Chamberlain and Jacoby Ellsbury took a turn for the worse, while an unexpected hot start to the season for Kyle Lohse has the league turning its heads and taking notice.
On March 22nd, Joba Chamberlain (Winnebago Tribe) was bouncing on a trampoline with his son when he dislocated his right ankle. Initial reports had the injury as a life threatening or career ending but it was later determined to not be true. Already recovering from Tommy John surgery, Chamberlain was about to move into full throwing for rehabilitation but this set back now has his 2012 campaign in doubt. Although vowing to come back, he still must remain in a protected ankle-boot for a few more weeks before he can begin rehabilitation on his ankle. Chamberlain has still been doing therapy for his elbow while in the boot and should be ready to throw by the time his ankle heals.
On April 14th, Jacoby Ellsbury (Navajo) was sliding into second base when Tampa Bay Rays short stop was looking to make a play at first fell on top of Jacoby after his slide and injuring his shoulder, it was later determined to be a minor subluxation (partial dislocation). Leaving the field in pain, the Bosox nation could only conjure up memories of Ellsbury during the 2010 season when he only played in 18 games and was lost for the season to an injury. Initially, the thought was surgery may be required but that turned out to not be the case, now Ellsbury is rehabbing his shoulder and looks to return this season at a date yet to be determined.
April 23rd, Kyle Lohse (Nomlaki Tribe), now in his 12 year in the league is 3-0 on the season with a .99 ERA in four starts. Lohse also owns an 8:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and right-handed batters are only hitting .143 against him this season. Lohse has faced 100 batters so far and he has only walked four of them, Lohse is locating a high percentage of his pitches in the strike zone. Pitching with confidence and a resurging his career, don’t be surprised to see Lohse at the All-Star break in Kansas City pitching the first pitch.
