Update - Wednesday 5th June 2002

BACK PLAYING AGAIN!!!

Although his hand/finger is still "not yet 100%", Brett is back on the diamond!!!
He started off with a few games in Extended Spring Training,
and was then assigned to the Jupiter Hammerheads, which is the "High Class A" affiliate of the Florida Marlins

The Hammerheads are based in Florida, and compete in the Florida State League
Click here to go to their web site

Below is an article from the Portland Herald newspaper on Monday 3rd June 2002
Outfielder Brett Roneberg, who started the season on the disabled list due to a finger injury, was activated Friday and is on a rehabilitation assignment with Class A Jupiter

Brett's first game with this team was on Saturday 1st June 2002, and he is playing both rightfield and first base

An email from Brett - and it's fantastic news!!!

Things are progressing very well so far.
I took "BP" and infield today for the first time in almost two months
and had no problems at all.
Everything went great which really surprised me alot
and I hope to continue at this pace and be back playing as soon as possible
I now have two more days of "BP"
and they are looking to get me some at bats starting on Monday with Extended Spring.
If everything continues to progress I should hopefully be playing nine innings by Friday or Saturday
and then it will be up to them to move me when they are ready.
But I am very happy with things
and I'll let you all know when I get ready to move out of here
Brett

Another email from Brett today - continuing with the tee work, and will be doing batting practise in a few days!!!

Hi there,
Well things have been going pretty well so far.
and I have hit every day this week with no pain and just a little discomfort.
But that is just not being used to hitting after so long off.
The schedule is to take front side soft toss on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,
and if all goes well I will take "BP" on Thursday.
So fingers crossed it all goes well.
brett

Received this email from Brett - he is swinging the bat again!!!

Hi,
I got to take 30 swings off the tee for the first time in almost 45 days today.
I also lifted,
and am almost back at full activity.
The hand felt a little tender
but I had no pain at all
and I get to hit again tomorrow
and if all goes well I should be in a game by about the end of this month.
I will keep you all informed
brett

Phone call from Brett - and he is still rehabing in Jupiter, Florida

He has been able to do some light throwing over the last few days, but his left arm is okay!!! - it is his right hand (the glove hand) that is injured!!! - AND HE WAS ABLE TO CATCH WITHOUT TOO MUCH DISCOMFORT!!!

..........and tomorrow he is going to do some HITTING OFF A TEE!!! - just a few cuts to see how it goes

The following article was in Sunday's edition of The Portland Press Herald newspaper

OUTFIELDER Brett Roneberg also traveled to Florida to get another opinion on the injured tendon in the ring finger of his right hand.
Roneberg injured himself during a check swing in a spring-training game, and was feared to be out for the year.
Marlins officials said Roneberg is "progressing well and should take some at-bats within the month."

Brett was flown from Portland, Maine down to Florida and had an appointment to see the Hand Specialist who treats the Florida Marlins - he saw the specialist on Monday, and there was GOOD NEWS!!! - and below is the email we received from Brett - he will continue his rehab in Florida, and when the time comes he will train with the players attending Extended Spring Training before returning to Portland and the Sea Dogs - and it's warm in Florida!!!

Well this is to say that I guess I am just a worry wart after all.
I was able to go and see a hand specialist today in Miami
and he said that I haven't torn anything at all and that is great news.
He said that I have just strained a tendon in my hand and to get out of my splint so I don't stiffen up and I can maintain some flexibility.
I now have a bunch of excercises to do and when I feel able to start being more active I can be.
He couldn't give me a time frame but said that it wont be anything like the last doctor said which was 8 weeks to the whole season.
Hopefully I can be back in a month or so which would make me very happy that is for sure.
Well that is about it for now
and I will keep you all up to date with how I progress and when I can get back in there.
Until next time
Brett

On Thursday 11th April, Brett had the MRI done on his right hand index finger - and the reults came through on Friday.

He has sprained the Transverse Metacarpal Ligament.

Recovery time will be up to eight weeks, and he is having another evaluation in two weeks time.

When it happened - Brett was at the Florida Marlins Spring Training and this is an email we received from Brett following the practise game on Tuesday 19th March 2002

Bad news.
Yesterday, I was playing and when I tried to check my swing I felt something bad in my hand.
I then tried to go again for the next pitch and I couldn't close my hand around the bat and it really hurts too!!!
I had x-rays today and they are sending them to Miami to be looked at by the team doctor tomorrow.
This is not a very good thing as you can imagine but I hope that nothing is broken and I hope to be back in two to three days
but we'll have to wait and see.
I am icing every hour and there is only minor swelling right now.
I will email again later with how it feels but I didn't workout today and probably wont tomorrow either.
Fingers crossed for the negative on the x-rays.

For the next couple of weeks Brett received treatment from various trainers, and at the end of Spring Training he was assigned to the Portland Sea Dogs, the "AA" affiliate of the Marlins and travelled to Portland, Maine. His hand was still giving him a lot of trouble, and he was going to start the season on the "Disabled List". The season started on Friday 5th April, and we received the following note from Brett after the first game.

Well I guess that this is some bad news that I have finally found out.
I saw a doctor on the day before the road trip and he thinks from feeling around that I have partially torn the ligament between the knuckles.
My hand does hurt alot and I hope that it gets better and if it still hurts when I get back from the road trip I am demanding an MRI
I am in a splint right now so that is helping me to not to aggravate it anymore.
One more thing is the possbile injury time,
about 3 to 6 weeks,
and that is the best news that he could give me at this point.

He is feeling very frustrated at the moment, and his own words sum up the situation

This sucks!!!!!!!!!

..........and here is a note from Sharon to Brett

This page will be kept updated as we hear more news from Brett

Should you wish to sent Brett a note, simply click here