Sun - 05 Jul
Written by Jim Ecker
Cedar Rapids Manager Jake Mauer was not trying to be mean or insensitive when he removed Randy Rosario from Sunday's game against Burlington with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning and the Kernels holding a commanding 7-0 lead.
Rosario made his first start for the Kernels since having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in May of 2014 and he was on a strict pitch count Sunday, even though he needed just one more out to qualify for the victory.
Rosario got a strikeout for the second out in the fifth inning with his 80th pitch and Mauer promptly came out to the mound and made a change.
"That's OK," Rosario said with a big smile after the 9-6 victory, signing autographs for Kernels fans while sitting in the outfield grass. "I say to Jake, 'Thank-you.'"
Rosario began the 2014 season with the Kernels and made three starts with the club before going on the disabled list April 23. He had surgery a few weeks after that and began the long rehab process, so Sunday's start against Burlington was a big hurdle to overcome on his road back.
Rosario's overall health and welfare are much more important than getting him a "W" in the boxscore.
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