Unfazed by comebacker, LaTroy Hawkins still refuses to wear a cup - MLB

Mets reliever LaTroy Hawkins took a comebacker to the manhood area last night against the Dodgers, an experience that Hawkins later said felt like getting “kicked by a mule.”

The Mets, mercifully, granted Hawkins a night off after his incident, but the right-hander seems to have not learned a lesson from any of this. Hawkins told the media today that he still won’t wear a cup. Via ESPN’s Adam Rubin:

“I never have. I never will,” Hawkins said. “I tried it a couple of times in the minor leagues. It wasn’t comfortable. I’ve thrown a lot of innings. I’ve been in a lot of ballgames. This is the first time I got hit. It won’t change.”

Hawkins added, “Me and my wife are done having kids, so we’re good. Twelve years ago I would have.”

I can think of safer ways to sterilize oneself, but to each his own.

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PHILADELPHIA – Phillies slugger Bryce Harper will miss the start of the 2023 season after he had reconstructive right elbow surgery.

The operation was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.

Harper is expected to return to Philadelphia’s lineup as the designated hitter by the All-Star break. He could be back in right field by the end of the season, according to the team.

The 30-year-old Harper suffered a small ulnar collateral ligament tear in his elbow in April. He last played right field at Miami on April 16. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection in May and shifted to designated hitter.

Harper met Nov. 14 with ElAttrache, who determined the tear did not heal on its own, necessitating surgery.

Even with the elbow injury, Harper led the Phillies to their first World Series since 2009, where they lost in six games to Houston. He hit .349 with six homers and 13 RBIs in 17 postseason games.

In late June, Harper suffered a broken thumb when he was hit by a pitch and was sidelined for two months. The two-time NL MVP still hit .286 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs for the season.

Harper left Washington and signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies in 2019. A seven-time All-Star, Harper has 285 career home runs.

With Harper out, the Phillies could use Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber at designated hitter. J.T. Realmuto also could serve as the DH when he needs a break from his catching duties.