The Heartbreaking News for Scott Sizemore

I’ll go on record as saying that the moment I heard about the injury to Scott Sizemore last night I had a bad feeling.  When it was declared a knee sprain that feeling got worse.  When they said he was headed for the Bay Area to get an MRI on his knee, I knew what was coming.  Today Scott and the Athletics got the worst news possible, that he had once again torn his left ACL and would undergo the same surgery he did in 2012, and would miss the rest of the season just like he did in 2012.

It was on this fateful play that Scott Sizemore tore his left ACL for the second time. (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

This is a tough blow for the Athletics, and an extremely tough one for Sizemore as he has to redo all the rehab and the recovery that he had to endure all throughout the last year.  This will be the ultimate test of Sizemore’s will, his determination, and his character.  He had to sit by the wayside and watch as his teammates embark on one of the most incredible runs as they caught and passed the Texas Rangers to take the AL West title.  There is no doubt that had to be extremely difficult for him, even though he was surely happy for the team.

This also puts the Athletics in an even more precarious situation with their middle infield.  Two months ago there appeared to be far too many middle infield candidates for far too few spots on the roster.  Guys like Eric Sogard and Andy Parrino (who was recalled to replace Sizemore on the roster) had virtually no chance to start the season in Oakland no matter how well they performed.  But Jemile Weeks got hurt, then demoted, then both Adam Rosales and Hiroyuki Nakajima found themselves starting the season on the 15 day DL.  Next thing we know, Eric Sogard is the starting second baseman on Opening Night.  Scott Sizemore was presumed to be the one to get the bulk of the time at second, but Sogard’s sizzling spring moved him ahead in the depth chart.  Sogard’s hot bat had cooled considerably and Sizemore figured to start getting a little more playing time.

Now we’ll never know what Scott Sizemore would have been able to contribute to the 2013 Athletics, a far different team from the one he played with last in 2011.  As the A’s and Sizemore move forward on the long road ahead, time will tell just what impact this injury will have on the future.  For the A’s, what effect Sizemore’s absence have on the team; for Sizemore, what effect this will have on the rest of his career.  We wish Scott all the best in his recovery, and hope that last night wasn’t the last time we’ll see him in green and gold.