Bad news, gang...

Jose has a "planta facia" injury, which you may remember is what sidelined
Mark McGwire for the better part of two years in the mid 90s. Jose tried
to run on it for the first time last night, and it didn't go well at
all. It sounds like his heel is still really hurting him, and he won't be
back for at least another week... or more. I'll keep you posted.

Mark

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Travel Holiday, Car Craft, or Hot Rod magazine, let me know. I have a few
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blank email to magazines-mcp@...

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From the St. Petersburg Times:
Heel flare-up delays Canseco's return
By Mike Readling, Marc Topkin
June 14, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- Jose Canseco was optimistic about his chance to return to
the lineup after spending the past couple of weeks on the disabled list.

Then he tried to play.

Canseco hit in the batting cage with no problems before warmups Tuesday,
but his left foot tightened as he tried to run the bases, delaying his
comeback for as much as a week.

"I did some sprints, trying to add acceleration with each sprint," Canseco
said. "About the seventh sprint, I tried to make the turn from second to
third and I felt it catch again."

Canseco has been on the disabled list since May 28 with a strained left
heel. He took a cortisone shot Friday and said the heel felt better, but he
still feels a sharp pain when he puts pressure on it.

"Every time I take a step, it feels like a nail going into my heel,"
Canseco said, adding that planta facia injuries can take 4-6 weeks to heal.

"I'm almost to the point now where I'm not going to try anymore. I stay in
good shape, lift weights, do stretches to try and stay healthy. I'm going
to come in here a fat slob weighing 450 pounds, not worry about it and
probably get 600 at-bats."

Manager Larry Rothschild said there is no timetable for Canseco's return.

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From the Tampa Tribune:
Devil Rays Notebook
By Carter Gaddis

Canseco's progress: Devil Rays DH Jose Canseco took batting practice and
ran the bases Tuesday. The sore left heel that has kept him on the disabled
list since May 28 is improving, but he's not sure how soon he'll return.

It could be weeks, as long as the pain is as bad as he described.

``It's a sharp pain. It's almost like every time you put your heel to the
ground, you have a nail in it,'' Canseco said. ``So imagine putting your
foot on top of a nail, and having it driven into your foot. It's very
sharp, painful. As soon as you lift up your foot, it's instant relief almost.''

Until he is pain-free, there is no relief from the frustration Canseco has
experienced the last two seasons. Injuries to his back, legs and feet have
robbed him of many games and the power he displayed prior to the All-Star
Game in 1999.

``I don't even know what to say any more. I've been asked that question so
many times, I have no idea how explain it any more,'' Canseco said. ``I'm
almost to the point of not trying any more, to tell the truth. I keep
myself in great shape, I eat great. You diet, you do this. You stretch, you
do that. Nothing seems to be working. I think I'm just going to come in, a
big, fat slob, 450 pounds, and just not worry about anything. Probably get
600 at-bats that way.''