Past Jeff Baker Injuries include Bizzare High-Five Mishap

Aug 14, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Jurickson Profar (13) high fives Texas Rangers pitch hitter Jeff Baker (15) after he scores the go ahead run in the seventh inning of the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Texas won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Herald writer Clark Spencer has a story today about the Marlins and their potential platoon plans involving Jeff Baker. Interestingly enough, they don’t seem to believe that a platoon at first base is as automatic as many of us believe it to be. As a matter of fact, VP Mike Hill went as far as to say that Garrett Jones is the everyday first baseman.

“[Jones] was signed to be our everyday first baseman. But that’s what the season’s for, to let it play out.”

I have to imagine that this is for Garrett Jones’ benefit, whom they may not have told that they were planning on platooning him when they signed him, even though his batting average against lefties is well documented and abysmal.

The article also goes on to talk about Baker’s history of platooning and his comfort level with the role. Toward the bottom of the article, Baker shared that his lack of at-bats last year was a result of a freak thumb-injury when a teammate high-fived him awkwardly….UM..WHAT?

Considering that we just got rid of Chris Coghlan, the master of the “run by pie in the face of your teammate and tear your own ACL” move, we come to find out that Baker missed a significant amount of time due to an “overzealous high-five”? Are the current Marlins aware of this? Have they put a ban on the long-time gesture of sport congratulating? Or at least directed the team to only provide Baker with pat on the backside and stay away from his hands?

Before you accuse me of being a little over-dramatic, I would also like to point out that this thumb injury cost Baker more than a month on the disabled list, and even after returning, his numbers dipped significantly, possibly as a result of the injury not fully healing.

For the Marlins to have success this year, they are going to need some breaks to go their way, and one of those will be the ability to stay healthy. Obviously, injuries negatively affect any team, but more so the Marlins due to their lack of depth. If the Marlins are victims of the injury bug, it could be a long 2014 for Fish fans.