Buster Posey was carted through a tunnel at AT&T Park on Thursday, a makeshift cast covering his left ankle and no emotion on his face.
Not exactly the exit the cornerstone of the World Series champion Giants wanted this season.
A night after Florida’s Scott Cousins crashed into him at home plate, San Francisco’s star catcher was put on the disabled list because of a fractured bone in his lower left leg and three torn ligaments in his ankle, likely ending his season and putting a major dent in the Giants’ chances of repeating.
“You just don’t replace a guy like Buster Posey,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, a former catcher who was so stricken by the news he called on Major League Baseball to review rule changes for collisions at the plate.
Posey has been San Francisco’s cleanup hitter, a team leader and key cog behind the plate for one of baseball’s best rotations. The 2010 NL Rookie of the Year was batting .284 with four home runs and 21 RBIs, just finding his groove in the midst of a 13-game hitting streak to move the Giants into the NL West lead.
An MRI confirmed Posey had a fractured left fibula and three torn ligaments in his left ankle, Giants trainer Dave Groeschner said. Posey will seek a specialist to perform surgery.
METS -- The cash-strapped owners of the New York franchise agreed to sell a minority share of the team to hedge fund manager David Einhorn for $200 million.
The announcement would allow owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz to retain control of the team. The influx of money would help pay debts and cover operating expenses. It is not clear how much of the team Einhorn will own.
ROCKIES -- A 27-year-old man who fell about 20 feet and struck his head on concrete during the seventh inning of a Colorado Rockies game has been declared dead, authorities said.
Witnesses told police that the man, identified as 27-year-old Robert Seamans, of Pueblo, Colo., had been trying to slide down a staircase railing at Coors Field and lost his balance during Tuesday afternoon’s game, Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.
INDIANS -- Cleveland outfielder Ezequiel Carrera has been optioned to Triple-A Columbus, a move made to clear the way for Grady Sizemore’s return from the disabled list.
Sizemore is expected to come off the DL at some point in the next few days. He has been sidelined with a bruised right kneecap. The Indians open a three-game series today at Tampa Bay.
BRAVES -- DUI and reckless driving charges have been dismissed against Atlanta pitcher Derek Lowe. One of Lowe’s attorneys, Cory Yager, said that solicitor Raines Carter, the chief prosecutor in Atlanta Municipal Court, agreed to dismiss the charges for lack of evidence.
n The Braves have traded veteran right-hander Rodrigo Lopez to the Chicago Cubs in a deal for minor league left-hander Ryan Buchter.
ANGELS -- Los Angeles placed infielder Howie Kendrick on the 15-day disabled list with right hamstring tightness. The team signed 35-year-old infielder Russell Branyan to a contract for the season. He was designated for assignment last week by Arizona and released Wednesday.
PHILLIES -- Philadelphia activated reliever Jose Contreras from the 15-day disabled list before their game against Cincinnati.
