This is supposed to be a quiet time on the sports calendar, but it was eventful for two local teams. One found out about a finger. The other got the proverbial finger from a party close to its top draft pick.
The Brewers got some reasonably uplifting news on the Ben Sheets finger front Tuesday, hours after the Bucks received some not-so-uplifting update on top draft pick Yi Jianlian.
First, the reasonably good news...
Sheets, an-all-star pitcher who suffered a sprained finger on his right middle finger on Saturday night, underwent a dynamic ultrasound test (as opposed to the boring kind), which revealed a partial tear of the tissue surrounding a tendon in the digit.
Sheets will rest for about 10 days before beginning a throwing program with a split. He is expected to miss a total of four to six weeks. Had the tear been complete, Sheets likely would have missed considerably more time.
Rookie Yovani Gallardo, who replaced Sheets in a 2-1 victory over Colorado on Saturday night, will replace Sheets in the rotation.
As for the Bucks...
A report in the Beijing News quoted Guangdong Tigers owner Chen Haitao as saying that No. 6 pick Yi Jianlian would "definitely not" play for Milwaukee next season.
Chen told the paper that the decision was not a slight to Milwaukee and its limited Asian community / endorsement opportunities, but was related to Yi's development and potential playing time.
"The national team and the Olympic Games are now our key considerations," Chen told the newspaper. "If Yi goes to a team where he can't compete, that would be being irresponsible to the national team."
What a bunch of hooey.
No matter what they say, Yi's "handlers" aren't infatuated with the idea of him, or not playing, for the Bucks.
Based on how he played for the Chinese national team in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Yi might have a tough time cracking the lineup for any team next season. His game was described as "soft" and "raw," though his potential is considerable. Yi's most important playing time next season will come on the practice court. The only way he's going to get better is by playing against NBA-caliber competition.
The Bucks did not comment on the Beijing News' story. The team has maintained that it will not trade Yi and hopes to meet with him both in China and in Milwaukee during the coming weeks.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.