All-Star Third Basemen Zimmerman, Beltre, Youkilis Fall Victim to Injuries

Saturday was not a good day to be an All-Star third baseman in Major League Baseball. Ryan Zimmerman, Adrian Beltre and Kevin Youkilis either did not start or were pulled from their games due to injuries.

The Nationals' Zimmerman was the first third basemen to fall victim when he was scratched from the lineup due to mild right shoulder inflammation. According to William Ladson, there is no structural damage to the shoulder.

The Nats have a day off on Monday, so they might opt to let Zimmerman have a long weekend of rest in hopes to reduce the inflammation.

Beltre of the Texas Rangers was the next one to go down on Saturday. He came up lame on a double in the second inning and was removed from the game. Jeff Wilson reported that Beltre is day-to-day with a strained left hamstring.

Beltre told reporters that he does not think the hamstring injury is as severe as last year when he was forced to miss five weeks. Richard Durrett reports that Beltre "hopes to play back in Tex where weather is warmer."

It sounds somewhat optimistic that Beltre is ready to return by Monday when they return back to Texas.

The final victim of Saturday was Boston Red Sox third baseman Youkilis. He was removed from the game after he was hit by a pitch in the left thigh by New York Yankees relief pitcher David Phelps. According to Ken Rosenthal, Youkilis left the game with a left quad contusion.

Overall, there is a lot of uncertainty and concern for the Nationals, Rangers and Red Sox. These guys are key to the success of their ballclubs, and they will have to wait and see how each of their injuries progress.

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