Aching Rolen jokes about beaning

Reds hit 3 homers in big win over Rockies
5/27/12
Miami baseball ends with loss
5/27/12
Ask Hal: Imitation of others just part of the game
5/27/12
Trotwood's McCray gets OSU offer despite Michigan commit
5/27/12
Commentary: Hang in there, soccer parents
5/27/12
> More sports headlines

By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 12:54 AM Wednesday, August 5, 2009

CINCINNATI — Scott Rolen’s head is sore, but his wit is firmly in place after close friend Jason Marquis of the Colorado Rockies bounced one off Rolen’s batting helmet Sunday, Aug. 2.

For the second straight day, Rolen was not in the lineup, but entertained the media in front of his locker before the game.

When a writer told Rolen he was off Sunday and didn't see his beaning until a replay later in the day, Rolen said, "Looked good, huh? I have a hard head."

Rolen said he was not checked out Tuesday, “But I had a CAT scan yesterday. It said I had almost the size of a normal human brain. I was real pleased with that. I had a headache most of yesterday. Today feels a little better, sort of a normal headache."

As for not playing, Rolen said, “Better safe than sorry right now. I did some work to get my heart rate up and felt all right with that. I’m going to hit and do some running, agility stuff, bend over, field some ground balls. It’s all to make sure I don't have any symptoms or dizziness.

Asked if he had a concussion, Rolen said, “Well, I don't have any bleeding in my brain. I do know that from the MRI. What they call it medically, it's not my gig.”

Rolen said it was the hardest plunking he ever took, but added, “Unless you want to count seventh-grade pole vault. I was down for three minutes. But this was the hardest on a baseball field, for sure. When you put it all back together, it almost knocked me out. I was fuzzy for five or 10 seconds. It still hurts me on the spot it hit me through the helmet.”

Rolen said Marquis called him in the clubhouse after it happened.

“We're good friends. Our families are good friends, our wives and kids,” he said. “I told him, ‘Hey, you want to come inside with a pitch, just let me know.’ It shook him up. You could tell because he wasn't throwing too good after that.

“I heard that I turned around and kind of pointed to him to let him know I knew he didn't do it on purpose,” said Rolen. “Yeah, actually, I do remember that. I knew he’d be shaken up about it. I wanted to make sure he knew I wasn’t dead — yet.”

Cueto on Volequez

Edinson Volquez hasn’t appeared in the clubhouse since his Tommy John surgery Monday, but his best friend, fellow starting pitcher Johnny Cueto, talked to him on the phone shortly after the surgery.

“He’s OK, says he feels good,” said Cueto. “What happened to him is unbelievable. I’m sorry for him. He is my guy, a good man.”

Cueto fears what happened to Volquez had to do with the World Baseball Classic and while he also went he acted as if he was sorry he did and wouldn’t go again.

Baker said he is waiting to talk to Volquez and added, “I’m sure he isn’t taking many calls and he’s in pain. When you’re in pain, you go underground.”

Burton in Dayton

The Class A Dayton Dragons will have a major-league pitcher to use tonight in Fifth Third Field when Reds relief pitcher Jared Burton begins a rehab assignment.

“I’ll pitch in Dayton (tonight), then join (Class AAA) Louisville Thursday morning for the start of a road trip,” said Burton. “I’ll pitch three times for them, then join the team when it returns home next week from St. Louis.”

Burton, on the disabled list with asthma and a sore shoulder, is eligible to come off the DL Sunday.

Quote of the day

“As much as we want him back and need him, we gotta take care of him.” — Baker, talking about Rolen’s second straight day of not being in the lineup.

Share this article