Tucson Sidewinders infielder Brian Barden will have to shut it down for a few days.
Barden has an abdominal injury that will sideline him. He’s expected to be re-evaluated Saturday by Arizona Diamondbacks doctors.
Barden, who was sent back to Tucson after being on the D’backs’ opening day roster, exited Tuesday’s game against New Orleans in the fifth inning because of the injury. He was held out of last night’s 8-4 loss to New Orleans.
“The main thing is that we want to get that thing healed and get him going,” said Sidewinders manager Bill Plummer. “He has played through that off and on through spring training. I think it’s to a point where he has it aggravated so much that it’s affecting his play.
“Probably, the biggest thing we can do is get him healthy before we bring him back.”
With Barden out of the lineup, Donnie Sadler and Matt Erickson will fill the void.
“Donnie and Matt will get some opportunities. I am going to give Jamie (D’Antona) a day off. He hasn’t had a day off all year. He’s a little tired.
“Jamie is playing two or three positions at times, which he’s not used to. I think a day off will regenerate him and get him going.”
D’Antona is hitless in his last seven at-bats. He was 3 for 14 in the series with Sacramento. His batting average has dropped to .322.
Barden has yet to hit like he’s capable of. He finished last season batting .294, but is hitting .206 this season.
Sadler is hitting .266 and has three hits in his last seven at-bats.
“He has played very well. He has helped us at a lot of different positions,” Plummer said. “He has come up with some big hits. He has done all you can ask for a guy (who is) not a regular.”
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Today: New Orleans (Jose Santiago, 0-3) vs. Tucson (D.J. Carrasco, 1-2), 6:30 p.m., Tucson Electric Park, 1400-AM