IDAHO GOES DOWN For the previous two weeks, the Idaho Falls Chukars have been playing without a full roster.
How ill-equipped?
Manager Troy Percival claims that amid this current spate of injury problems, there have been times when he has penciled in a lineup only to have to start over after learning of additional injuries. On Friday, he found out that Jacob Jablonski was not available just before the first pitch.
Percival stated, “I think we’ve been dealing with more than our fair share of injuries.”
Four players on the Idaho Falls roster are now on the inactive list, and a number of other players have been sidelined due to short-term health difficulties but are not inactive.
According to Percival, there have been occasions when I’ve selected a lineup and every player on the bench is unable to participate. I will admit, though, that I have a number of grinders. Everyone I send out there will play hard every day and give it their all for you.
“I preach to my team not to ride the wave,” Percival added.
The squad should never get too high or too low, he says.
Additionally, he has been candid with the front office regarding the difficulties associated with this kind of injury problem. When the injuries began to mount, Percival warned general manager Chris Hall that a slide was on its way.
He stated that everyone in this league will experience that at some point.
It has been affecting Idaho Falls. The Chukars have dropped just three slots in the Pioneer Baseball League rankings, from first place with a 15-3 record to 18-9 in less than a week.
With the return of shortstop Anthony Mata, who began the season as one of the PBL’s most prolific batsmen but was placed on the inactive list for two weeks, things have been going in the right direction. After returning for around a week, he is starting to regain his offensive form, as seen by his home run in Friday’s victory.
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The Chukars are particularly lacking in the bullpen with three pitchers out with injuries. They took two actions Thursday to try to address that problem, replacing two struggling hurlers with two new arms.
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On Saturday, Jorge Romero, one of those two pitchers, will get the start. Even though he is unknown, at least to the coaching staff, Percival is grateful for a player who can provide some innings and lighten the pressure on the team’s already overburdened bullpen.
The captain stated, “This should be helpful, but we still need to find one more guy who can go deep into a game.”
Additionally, star reliever Ricky Tibbett will be providing additional assistance soon.
Tibbett made a great start, going 7-1/3 innings (1.23 ERA) in six outings and striking out six batters while giving up just one earned run. Tibbett leads the Chukars in saves (3) even though he hasn’t played since June 1.
According to Percival, he is throwing pain-free on level ground out to 75 feet and might return to the field in as little as two weeks.
According to Percival, the Chukars, particularly in the bullpen, will be difficult to beat at that point because they will be playing at about 80–90%.
