Phillies relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo is "probably not available" Saturday, due to a gash above his left eye -- which is swollen and possibly even infected, according to manager Charlie Manuel (via Jim Salisbury). How the injury happened will certainly qualify Bastardo for one of the weirdest injuries of the season.
Per Matt Gelb of philly.com, Bastardo was unpleased with his performance Wednesday night against the Twins and "took his anger out on a squat machine, which returned the favor."
I have no idea how the logistics work here, in as far as how a squat machine could injure Bastardo's eye. I'm assuming he punched or kicked it, so something must have been thrust back at him. Anyway, maybe a punching bag should be installed in every MLB clubhouse. Just a thought.
Bastardo, 26, has a 2.53 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings this season. Aside from closer Jonathan Papelbon, Bastardo is the most valuable piece of the Phillies' bullpen.
Hat-tip: Hardball Talk
