Somebody please bless Sammy Sosa–before he sneezes.
The Cubs slugger went only 2-for-7 during his rehab assignment with the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.
But he’ll receive no quarter from the Oakland A’s–who have one of the best pitching staffs in the majors–when he returns to a big-league game Friday for the time since a sore back forced him out May 15. “His presence is one thing,” manager Dusty Baker said of Sosa’s return. “But hitting is something else.”
Staff prognosticator Whizzer calls Sammy’s first weekend back:
Friday
Mark Redman (4-3, 4.52 ERA)
Whizzer predicts: Be nice if everyone in the right-field bleachers greeted him with a box of tissue, don’t you agree? I think you do. This will take time. The result: Sammy goes 0-for-4 with a walk.
Saturday
Mark Mulder (8-2, 2.97 ERA)
Whizzer predicts: Calm and collected, Sammy makes a little contact off Mulder’s solid fastball, then a lot of contact.
The result: 1 single, 1 ground out, 1 pop out, 1 homer.
Sunday
Barry Zito (4-3, 4.67 ERA)
Whizzer predicts: Man, Zito is wicked awesome at times. Plus, he plays guitar! But he only went five innings last outing, and remember–he’s just a man. The result: Sammy goes 2-for-4 (singles) with a walk.
Welcome back, Sammy
A look at Sammy’s three-game rehab stint in lovely Jackson, Tenn.
Tuesday
Sosa: 0-1; struck out looking.
Had only one appearance before the game was rained out.
Monday
Sosa: 1-4 with a double.
Birmingham Barons left-hander Arnie Munoz allowed 1 run on 6 hits while striking out 9.
Sunday
Sosa: 1-2 with an RBI, a walk and a strikeout.
Barons left-hander Ryan Meaux struck out 4 and allowed 1 earned run on 4 hits.
