Mark Grace wasn’t happy about going on the 15-day disabled list Friday. But he said he was relieved tests showed the cause of his aching back “is muscular, not skeletal.”
Grace said doctors told him the rest will restore him to full health.
Manager Jim Riggleman indicated the club probably will alternate Dave Magadan and Leo Gomez at first in place of the Gold Glove-winning Grace, who is hitting .338.
“We want to sit on the decision for a day or so,” said Riggleman. “We have options. We might call up another pitcher or someone who has played first base.”
Grace’s 15-day term on the disabled list is retroactive to Tuesday, when the bad back forced him out of the lineup in Philadelphia. Grace met Friday morning with team physician John Marquardt, who conducted a series of tests and then prescribed rest.
“They took X-rays and checked my heart because I had chest pains,” said Grace. “The doctor said the good news is that I’m not in danger. The chest pain is a pulled muscle.
“I’m not happy going on the DL, but when I talked to (Riggleman), he put things in perspective. He said in my physical condition now I was not helping the club. I had to agree.”
Grace has opted to travel with the team and to suit up for games, even though he cannot play. “Just today,” he said after Friday’s 5-1 victory over San Diego, “guys on the bench asked me, `What’s Tewksbury throwing?’ So I may be able to help.”
Grace has been on the disabled list only one other time in his major-league career–June 5-23, 1989.