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StaphAseptic™ News
Dodgers get medical scare
May 26, 2009
by Jim Alexander
LOS ANGELES - Dodgers outfielder Xavier Paul went on the 15-day disabled list before Friday night's game with the Angels, and the cause probably sent shivers through every training staff in major league baseball.
Paul is in USC Medical Center recovering from a staph infection. Specifically, it's MRSA, which stands for "Methicillin-Resistant Staphaylococcus Aureus," and it's a reminder of just how dangerous a cut or abrasion can be, especially in a clubhouse or locker room, where players are in close quarters on a daily basis.
Paul had a similar infection in spring training that was treated successfully. But when he made a sliding catch Sunday in Florida, he opened an abrasion on his knee that turned out to be the entry point for the infection.
"On Tuesday morning he called us and said it was a little red," trainer Stan Conte said. "We looked at it Tuesday morning and sent him to the doctor (who put him on an antibiotic...By Wednesday after the game he had a full-blown infection. It happened that fast."
Paul was taken to USC's infectious diseases wing, where he received more antibiotics through an IV drip and had the leg drained. He'll be in the hospital a couple more days, but can't do any physical activity until the skin heals over the abrasion, which could be a couple of weeks.
In the meantime, the training staff used this as an educational opportunity, holding a team meeting Friday afternoon to remind the players of the need to be sanitary and to be alert for any cuts or scrapes, no matter how small.
"Football has a lot of it because of the cuts and stuff, but it's somewhat dangerous among sports teams," Conte said. "We have to identify it quickly and treat it quickly. We go through a huge amount of protection to keep everything clean. We have special sprays to kill MRSA that we spray on all the treatment tables, and we encourage guys to use (antibiotic) soap and wash their hands."
Angels 'Pen Improving
Wasn't it just a week ago that the Angels had the worst bullpen ERA in the American League?
It's getting better. The relievers have allowed 11 earned runs in the past 44 innings, over 11 appearances. Four came Friday night. More to the point, in the past week the combination of Darren Oliver, Jason Bulger, Jose Arredondo, Justin Speier, Scot Shields and Brian Fuentes has allowed one run in the past 20 innings.
Fuentes has three saves in the past four games, and Shields has holds in his past two appearances, suggesting his struggles may be subsiding.
"When one guy's struggling, or two guys, it affects everybody down there," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Right now it looks like things are getting settled and guys are pitching to their capacity. We'll be able to further cement some roles, which I think is important for those guys."
More Freeway Notes
--Outfielder Jamie Hoffmann was recalled from Albuquerque to replace Paul. Hoffmann was hitting .257 after batting .307 with two homers, 16 RBI , 25 runs and a .457 on-base percentage at Class AA.
--fAngels outfielder Bobby Abreu remained out of the lineup with a sore big toe. He pinch hit in the sixth.
--Former UCLA and Denver Broncos wide receiver Michael Young has been named the Dodgers' Chief Revenue Officer. Young spent the last 13 years in the Broncos' front office, mostly as the team's Senior Director of Special Projects.
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