Rafael Furcal News: Pro Sports Daily

Rafael Furcal's lack of pain has been Dodgers' gain

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October 12

Los Angeles Times

"When the first of the champagne bottles were uncorked in the visiting clubhouse at Busch Stadium on Saturday night, Rafael Furcal had his arms wrapped around a stocky, middle-aged man. The man was Stan Conte, the Dodgers' trainer. Furcal was headed back to the National League Championship Series -- and this time, he said, he felt like he had a chance. Conte was a reason why. Furcal said he wasn't in pain. He said that he felt sure of himself and that his timing was back. "Incredible," Furcal said, champagne dripping down his forehead. "I thank God. I always stayed positive, regardless of how I was doing. I showed up no matter how I felt, no matter how I was hitting. Now, we're here. I'm ..."

'Re-acquired' Furcal gives Dodgers a boost

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October 11

L.A. Daily News

"You've heard about all the Dodgers in-season acquisitions and the impact they've made on their playoff run. Utility infielder Ronnie Belliard has come up with clutch hits, Jon Garland has eaten up innings and won three games since coming over at the trading deadline, and Vicente Padilla pitched well down the stretch and even better in Saturday's decisive Game 3 of the National League Division Series. And about two weeks ago the Dodgers seem to have "re-acquired" lead-off hitter Rafael Furcal. "He's really been hitting," outfielder Matt Kemp said. "That's the old Raffy. He's was down for a while but he's a professional hitter and he's definitely been showing he's on his `A' game." After an ..."

Furcal has a big night against Nationals

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September 25

Los Angeles Times

"On the night the Dodgers moved to within a victory of securing a spot in the postseason by claiming a 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals, their $25-million left fielder turned himself into the highest-paid press officer in baseball history. Still wearing his uniform pants, a sweaty Manny Ramirez put his arm around the first reporter he saw and said, "You're going to talk to Raffy, right? Go talk to Raffy." But Rafael Furcal, who was four for five and hit a solo home run to break a 6-6 stalemate in the eighth inning, wasn't at his locker. "He's in the shower," Ramirez said. "He'll be back." Matt Kemp drove in his 100th run of the season on a three-run home run in the first inning and ..."

Furcal is finding his groove

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June 15

Los Angeles Times

"What Rafael Furcal feels, Dodgers Manager Joe Torre sees, and what Torre sees, the numbers say: Furcal is slowly starting to find his rhythm at the plate. "The season is long," Furcal said. "I knew and the whole world knew that I wasn't going to stay like that the entire year. I didn't know when it would come, today or tomorrow, but I just kept at it." Furcal, who was one for three with a walk and a sacrifice in the Dodgers' 6-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday, has hit .333 over his last seven games and said he believes he's starting to emerge from his season-long slump. "I feel a lot better," he said. "My swing feels better and I'm getting deeper into counts. I'm hitting the ball ..."

Rafael Furcal continues to struggle

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May 18

Los Angeles Times

"The evidence of Rafael Furcal's frustration was inside the visitors' clubhouse at Land Shark Stadium on Sunday. There, atop an equipment trunk, were the remnants of a batting helmet, shattered in a pique of anger the night before. "He's getting frustrated. There's no question," Manager Joe Torre said of Furcal, who hit .167 on the Dodgers' six-game trip, dropping his season average to .233. "Right now I think it's just [being] overanxious. Physically, he seems fine." Furcal didn't play Sunday, a scheduled off day to give his surgically repaired back rest. And Torre said he talks with Furcal as many as five times a week to make sure he's OK mentally. But, the manager added, Furcal's ..."

Torre expects turnaround from Furcal

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May 10

MLB.com

"With a .250 batting average and five errors in 28 games at shortstop, Rafael Furcal has certainly been struggling so far this season.Furcal was given a planned day off Saturday against the Giants, but Dodgers manager Joe Torre said it could be a good day for the shortstop to refocus his approach at the plate."I think he just tries to get too big," said Torre of Furcal's swing. "He just needs to put the ball in play and use his hands. But sometimes his body just gets in the way so right now they're teasing him by throwing up high."Torre said Furcal has been trying to drive the ball this season, but it hasn't worked because he has just one home run and five doubles.It's a far cry from ..."

Braves' offseason of mediocrity

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January 11

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Not so long ago, the Atlanta Braves were not merely a team. To players, the club was a sort of Valhalla, the ultimate destination for prospects and free agents alike. The payroll was high, a Cy Young winner seemed to pitch most every night and the manager ran the club like Will Rogers. October baseball was a birthright, with the team winning an unprecedented 14 consecutive division titles. That those Braves no longer play here was most dramatically demonstrated last week when the unthinkable happened: John Smoltz, a career Brave of 21 years and one of the franchise's most visible and popular players, bolted for the Boston Red Sox after a contract squabble. While the team's fortunes have ..."

Agent: Rafael Furcal now leaning toward Dodgers

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December 17

Los Angeles Times

"Rafael Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, said today that the free agent shortstop is leaning toward re-signing with the Dodgers. "Right now, things have swung back to the Dodgers," Kinzer told the New York Post at a news conference at Shea Stadium to introduce another one of his clients, Francisco Rodriguez. But Kinzer said only a day ago that the Atlanta Braves would probably land the 31-year-old Furcal, which is why the Dodgers don't know what to think of the progress they've made in the negotiations, according to sources with knowledge of the situation who were granted anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter. General Manager Ned Colletti confirmed that he spoke to ..."

Sources: A's offer deal to Furcal

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December 15

ESPN.com

"With Rafael Furcal moving closer to making a decision on where to sign, the Oakland Athletics appear to be in the lead to sign the free-agent shortstop, with an offer of four years and $40 million, according to sources. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who declined to offer Furcal arbitration earlier this month, have remained engaged but do not appear to be close to Oakland's proposal. The Kansas City Royals have interest and need but may not have the flexibility to make a deal. The Toronto Blue Jays have had interest -- and need -- in Furcal, but they have dropped out of the bidding entirely."

Shortstops remain available in market

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December 15

MLB.com

"Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin was talking recently about his unwillingness to trade shortstop J.J. Hardy, even though the team has a young and talented shortstop-in-waiting in Alcides Escobar. "That's a premium position ... it's hard to find shortstops," Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Which is why teams have been scooping up available shortstops this winter and doing so without breaking the bank, as Major League teams have found some bargains during this offseason. All while two of the biggest names left remaining on the free-agent market are shortstops -- Rafael Furcal and Orlando Cabrera, who probably didn't anticipate the Winter Meetings passing without finding a ..."

Dodgers face obstacles in re-signing Rafael Furcal

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December 11

Los Angeles Times

"With third baseman Casey Blake re-signed and negotiations with Manny Ramirez at an impasse, the Dodgers have shifted their focus on retaining Rafael Furcal. But major obstacles have to be cleared if the Dodgers are to re-sign Furcal, who played in only 36 regular-season games this year because of back problems that required surgery. The Dodgers have offered the 31-year-old shortstop an incentive-laden contract that is guaranteed for two years and includes a vesting option for a third, according to sources familiar with the negotiations who were granted anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter. Furcal is asking for a four-year deal. Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, said ..."

Furcal turns down A's $35 million offer

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December 7

San Francisco Chronicle

"The A's apparently will be moving in another direction at the winter meetings after the Rafael Furcal negotiations collapsed. The A's wanted the shortstop as their leadoff hitter, but Bobby Crosby is sticking around until further notice. With the winter meetings beginning Monday in Las Vegas, the club is redirecting its attention to other areas on the roster, including first base, a position at which Daric Barton struggled in 2008. The A's have considered possibilities of trading for the Nationals' Nick Johnson and signing free agent Jason Giambi, though not if he's asking for three years. They also are exploring free-agent starting pitchers and inquired about Randy Johnson. Foxsports.com ..."

Furcal rejects A's four-year offer

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December 6

MLB.com

"The A's are no longer the apparent front-runners to sign Rafael Furcal, as the free-agent shortstop declined their contract offer. FOXsports.com reported Friday night that the A's met Furcal's wishes for a four-year deal, but he balked at the value of the offer, which was believed to range between $35 million to $40 million. Furcal, who is a career .286 hitter but also has a history of back problems, is coming off a three-year, $39 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Paul Kinzer, Furcal's agent, confirmed the decision to FOXsports.com. Kinzer indicated that he could reopen talks with the A's, but only if Furcal would accept a more economical contract. The A's have not commented ..."

A's out of running for SS Furcal

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December 6

Foxsports.com

"The A's abruptly pulled out of the Rafael Furcal sweepstakes Friday after the free-agent shortstop rejected their four-year contract offer. Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, told FOXSports.com that Furcal declined the A's proposal, which was believed to be in the range of $35 million to $40 million. The A's had given Furcal a Saturday deadline to accept their offer, according to major-league sources. When Furcal rejected the deal, team officials informed Kinzer they would move on to other pursuits. Kinzer said the "door is definitely open" to further discussions, but the A's will revisit Furcal only if he is willing to accept a lesser deal, sources said. For now, the A's plan to keep Bobby ..."

Furcal heading to A's?

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November 25

Contra Costa Times

"A report that the A's were on the verge of signing Rafael Furcal on Monday was premature, but the team is in the running to land the prized free-agent shortstop. Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, confirmed the A's are on the short list of teams that Furcal is still considering. "The A's are one of the final teams," Kinzer said. "We're sorting through everything," Kinzer was vague regarding the A's main competition, saying Furcal is still considering "three or four teams, probably three." The Giants are still showing interest, he added, but the Giants also are targeting free agent Edgar Renteria as a backup plan, signaling they're ready to move on if necessary. Both Kinzer and A's general ..."

Furcal reports 'wrong'

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November 25

San Francisco Chronicle

"Rafael Furcal's agent flatly denied a newspaper report out of the Dominican Republic that the free-agent shortstop has received a substantial contract offer from the A's. "The whole thing is wrong," sports agent Paul Kinzer said of El Caribe's claim that the A's have offered Furcal a four-year, $48 million deal. A well-placed A's source called the report "untrue" without elaborating further. El Caribe also reported that the Mets have made Furcal an offer to play second base, and Kinzer said, "We haven't even had any discussions with the Mets, if that gives you an idea how inaccurate this is." Kinzer said Furcal hopes to narrow his choice of clubs down to two in the next few days. Furcal ..."

Rafael Furcal's return to Dodgers is in doubt

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November 25

Los Angeles Times

"Pointing to the position that Rafael Furcal plays, Dodgers Manager Joe Torre said recently that re-signing the free-agent shortstop was as much of a priority as re-signing Manny Ramirez. "Raffy can't take a back seat to anyone as far as I'm concerned," Torre said. But with Torre acknowledging that the Dodgers are concerned about Furcal's medical history and the player's agent saying that three other teams have made him offers, the 31-year-old leadoff hitter's three-year stay in Los Angeles could be nearing an end. Every indication is that the Dodgers won't offer Furcal the four-year deal that he desires, something agent Paul Kinzer said he has already received from another club. The ..."

Giants, A's leading Furcal sweepstakes

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November 22

Foxsports.com

"The Rafael Furcal sweepstakes, accelerating at a rapid pace, appears to be shaping up as a Bay Area showdown between the A's and Giants. "It's moving pretty fast," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti told FOXSports.com on Friday. "I don't know if we're going to be in it or not." The Dodgers want to retain Furcal, who is a favorite of manager Joe Torre, but might be reluctant to meet the player's desire for a four-year contract. A team's willingness to offer Furcal a fourth year likely will be the difference-maker in the negotiations, major-league sources say. When the Dodgers signed Furcal prior to the 2006 season, they gave him three years and $39 million. He is 31 now, and coming off ..."

Bay Area rivals after free agent Furcal

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November 17

MLB.com

"The A's and Giants play in the same geographic area, but they play in different leagues, they have dramatically different ballparks and revenue streams, and there have been massive differences in the way they've built their clubs in recent years. Yet the Bay Area rivals are very much in the same boat in at least one respect right now. They both want free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, and according to Furcal's agent, they're among the six teams who appear to want Furcal the most. Paul Kinzer told MLB.com on Monday morning that while "nine or 10 teams have expressed interest" in Furcal, only six of them had contacted him since the start of open free agency at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, and ..."

K-Rod tops list of 19 more to test market

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November 4

MLB.com

"Major League saves leader Francisco Rodriguez heads a list of 19 players who filed for free agency on Monday. Rafael Furcal, Edgar Renteria and Omar Vizquel, a trio of shortstops with a combined nine All-Star Game selections, also filed, raising the free agent pool to 149. Coming off a historic 62-save season at age 26, Rodriguez is expected to be among the most coveted free agents on the market this winter, along with Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez and CC Sabathia. Visibly distraught when the season ended for his team at Boston's Fenway Park in a 3-2 loss in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, Rodriguez expressed how difficult it would be to leave the only organization he has ..."

Dodgers shortstop Furcal picks up where he left off

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October 13

Philadelphia Daily News

"The ball left Rafael Furcal's bat quick and smooth - the way he started the 2008 season - and kept rising until it dropped into the leftfield pavilion. The Dodgers shortstop's home run leading off the second inning gave Los Angeles a five-run lead and pretty much ended what was to become a 7-2 victory over the Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series.Oh, sure, there were hitters to be plunked and chests to be puffed up and/or beaten upon, but the game never seemed much in doubt after that, Furcal having personally seen to much of that.In the first inning, it was Furcal who used a foot to block Chase Utley off second when Utley appeared to have stolen the base with two ..."

Remember me? Furcal back in leading role for Dodgers

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October 8

Orange County Register

"If an MVP award had been handed out as a result of the Dodgers' three-game sweep over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Division Series, there's a good chance that James Loney would have been the recipient. Loney silenced the Game 1 crowd at Wrigley Field with a fifth-inning grand slam that turned a 2-0 deficit into an eventual 7-2 victory. The young first baseman was also the one who hit the key two-run double in the first inning of Game 3 off Cubs pitcher Rich Harden. A lot of the success for the first-round victory, however, can be attributed to the Dodgers getting their leadoff hitter back. Rafael Furcal was hampered by back problems since early in the season. He didn't return to ..."

Dodgers' Rafael Furcal says he'll return this season

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July 11

Los Angeles Times

"Speaking to reporters for the first time since he underwent surgery on a bulging disk in his back on July 3, Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal said Thursday he was sure he would play again this season. Furcal said he was told by Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed the operation, that his recovery would take anywhere from six to eight weeks, meaning he could be back in late August."

Dodgers' Rafael Furcal could be out for the season

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July 3

Los Angeles Times

"It has become something of a ritual lately with the Dodgers, with every piece of good news tempered by some bad news... And so it went Wednesday, when right-hander Hiroki Kuroda came off the disabled list to throw seven shutout innings at the Houston Astros in a 4-1 win that moved the Dodgers to within 1 1/2 games of division-leading Arizona, the closest they've been to first place since early April. Only that became nothing more than the silver lining on the black cloud which began descending on the Dodgers in the third inning. That's when trainer Stan Conte gave Manager Joe Torre the bad news that sparkplug shortstop Rafael Furcal will undergo back surgery today. And with less than three ..."

Furcal has another setback

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July 2

L.A. Daily News

"Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal has suffered what appears to be another setback in his seemingly endless attempt to come back from a lower-back injury that has sidelined him for almost two months. After finally beginning his minor-league rehabilitation assignment on Monday night by going 1 for 3 with a double and an RBI while playing four innings at shortstop for Triple-A Las Vegas against SaltLake, Furcal woke up Tuesday morning with more discomfort in his back. He returned to Los Angeles and is scheduled to be examined today by back specialist Dr.Robert Watkins."

Dodgers' Rafael Furcal in pain after rehab start

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July 2

Los Angeles Times

"Nearly two months after going on the disabled list and two days after making his first minor league rehab start, Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal is right back where he started -- in pain because of his back and in doubt as to when he will play again.Furcal went four innings at shortstop for triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, doubling and driving in a run in three at-bats in his first game since May 5. But when he woke Tuesday with discomfort, he was immediately called back to Los Angeles where he will be examined today by Dr. Robert Watkins."Obviously it's not good news," Dodgers Manager Joe Torre said."He felt so good about himself, with this exercise program he was on. I'm sure for ..."

Rafael Furcal, Andruw Jones and Nomar Garciaparra ready to begin rehab assignments

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June 28

Los Angeles Times

"Rafael Furcal, Andruw Jones and Nomar Garciaparra are scheduled to begin minor league rehab assignments with triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, with Furcal and Garciaparra saying they could be back in the Dodgers' lineup next weekend in San Francisco.Jones, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery May 27, is aiming to return for the start of the second half of the season, July 18 in Arizona.Signed to a two-year, $36.2-million contract in the off-season, Jones was hitting .165 with two home runs through 43 games when he was sidelined. Being out for so long, Jones said, let him do more than heal his body."

Dodgers' Furcal hopes to return before All-Star break

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June 21

Los Angeles Times

"Rafael Furcal disagreed with his manager's assessment of his injury Friday, saying the bulging disk in his back was 90% healed and that he was optimistic he could return before the All-Star break, which begins July 14."That's what we're working for," said the Dodgers' shortstop, who has been on the disabled list since May 6."

Rafael Furcal not expected back before the All-Star break

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June 18

Los Angeles Times

"With Rafael Furcal limited to playing catch, Dodgers Manager Joe Torre said he didn't expect his leadoff hitter and starting shortstop back until after the All-Star break. Furcal, who has a bulging disk in his back, was tied for the team lead in runs scored with Russell Martin when the Dodgers opened their three-game series in Cincinnati even though he hadn't played in more than six weeks. "If we get him back before the All-Star break it's a bonus, but I don't see that happening," Torre said. Torre said that the possibility of Furcal's having to undergo back surgery hasn't been discussed."

Dodgers' Rafael Furcal told to cease baseball activities

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June 13

Los Angeles Times

"The Dodgers have told shortstop Rafael Furcal to cease all baseball activities, raising the possibility his recovery from a back injury could extend well into July. "He's gotten a little frustrated," Manager Joe Torre said. The Dodgers officially list the injury as soreness in the lower back, but Torre confirmed the specific diagnosis is a bulging disk. Dr. Robert Watkins , the back specialist who examined Furcal this week, advised the Dodgers to halt Furcal's baseball activities and limit his workouts to conditioning and strengthening exercises."

June 17 is new target for Rafael Furcal

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June 7

Los Angeles Times

"Rafael Furcal could be back in the Dodgers' lineup by the time they open a three-game series in Cincinnati on June 17, Manager Joe Torre said Friday. "I think that's reasonable," Torre said. Furcal, who last played May 5, resumed taking grounders at short Thursday and reported that his strained lower back felt fine the next day."

Furcal absent again as Dodgers lose to Cardinals

May 24

L.A. Daily News

"The real Derek Lowe finally showed up for the Dodgers on Friday night. Rafael Furcal, however, remained conspicously absent. Before the Dodgers suffered a 2-1 loss to St. Louis in front of 52,281 at Dodger Stadium, most of Furcal's teammates had reported to the ballpark believing their offensive heart and soul would be activated from the disabled list, return to the leadoff spot and resume the gargantuan task of carrying the team on his back. But Furcal's back simply wasn't ready to bear that burden."

Dodgers' Rafael Furcal might not be activated yet

May 21

Los Angeles Times

"Rafael Furcal reported feeling no pain in his lower back Tuesday, but Dodgers trainer Stan Conte said the shortstop would "have to do a pretty good sell job" to be moved to the active roster today, the first day he is eligible to be activated from the 15-day disabled list. Manager Joe Torre was on the same page as Conte, saying, "I certainly don't want to take a chance of doing the wrong thing. I'd rather bite the bullet here for an extra couple days.""