J.J. Hardy May Have Injured His Hand in Home Plate Celebration

UPDATE: FanHouse's own Bruce Ciskie has just e-mailed me to let me know that while Hardy dislocated his left, non-throwing, thumb in the celebration last night, it's been popped back into place (what a visual) and he's playing tonight. The Brewers haven't commented yet, but he is in the starting lineup.

Whenever I watch a wild dog-pile at home plate celebrating a walk-off hit for someone, I invariably wonder why people don't get injured more often in those celebrations. Word has trickled out of Milwaukee today that J.J. Hardy may have done just that last night. Tom Haudricort at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has found reason to think that Hardy suffered a hand injury while celebratingRyan Braun's tenth inning walk-off grand slam last night.

[Brewers' media relations director Mike] Vassallo said [assistant GM Gord] Ash told him he would have no comment on the situation until Hardy reports to the ballpark today and is examined by medical personnel. That makes it sound as if something indeed happened to Hardy last night. Otherwise, Ash would have merely denied the speculation and said there was nothing to it.

So, it's not official but it sure sounds like something is up. Otherwise, Ash would have blown the speculation out of the water. Sounds as if the Brewers are waiting for an update on the situation as well.

Playing the Cubs with the pennant on the line and Craig Counsell starting at shortstop. That's what the Brewers face this weekend if Hardy hurt himself seriously enough to have to miss time. And it was celebrating a win over the Pirates that took ten innings. I know it was a big win in the playoff race and all, but I feel like celebrating after beating the Pirates is a really stupid way to injure yourself.

Thanks to reader Bob J. for the tip.