M's Catcher Wilson Out 3-4 Weeks
Dan Wilson, Seattle's No. 1 catcher, is expected to miss 3-4 weeks after injuring his left ankle while chasing a passed ball Sunday in a 4-1 loss to Kansas City.
Wilson severely sprained his ankle and sustained ligament damage. Manager Lou Piniella said the former All-Star will be placed on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career.
Wilson was injured when he went after a passed ball in an attempt to make a play at the plate. He caught his spikes when he left the dirt to go on to the artificial turf.
His ankle will be re-examined Monday. Dr. Mitch Storey, a team physician, said Wilson sustained a torn ligament.
"It's as serious an injury as I've ever had," said Wilson, on crutches after the game. "I rolled my ankle."
Wilson's ankle was wrapped in ice and an elastic bandage.
"There's never a good time to get injured," he said. ``Especially with things picking up around here. It's doubly tough."
Despite the loss, the last-place Mariners finished with an 8-3 homestand.
"It's going to hurt us," Piniella said. ``Anytime you lose one of your regular players, it's going to hurt, especially at a key position like catcher."
John Marzano, Wilson's backup, is the only catcher on Seattle's roster.
Piniella said the Mariners will recall catcher Raul Chavez from Triple-A Tacoma. Chavez will join the team for Tuesday night's game at Tampa Bay, Piniella said.
Wilson, an AL All-Star in 1996, is hitting .254 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in 83 games this season. He had a career-high six RBIs Friday night and hit three homers during the Mariners' homestand.
©1998 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed