Posted on: Saturday, July 26, 2003

Rainbow shortstop has elbow injury

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i senior shortstop Brian Finegan said he will seek a second opinion of an elbow injury that he endured during the final month of the season.

Finegan, who started in all of UH's 56 games, was to play in the Alaska Baseball League, but has remained home in California to rest the elbow. His personal physician told him he has a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament in his right throwing arm. Finegan said he will seek an opinion from Dr. Lewis Yocum, a renowned orthopedic surgeon and the director of the medical staff of the Anaheim Angels.

"It hurt toward the end of the year, but I just played through it," said Finegan, who is not certain how the injury occurred.

UH coach Mike Trapasso said during the last month of the season, Finegan limited his throwing to games.

"We had to back him off at practice," Trapasso said. "If we have to go through that again (this coming season), we will. But it's too preliminary to do anything."

Finegan's backup last season was Julian Russell, whose eligibility has ended. The only available shortstop would be incoming junior college transfer Andrew Castillo.

"We do have options," Trapasso said. "We're looking to 'Finny' to be healthy. That's the main option. If not, we'll have to adjust and go from there."

Finegan batted .280. He led the team with 17 doubles and tied with two others for the team lead with 32 RBIs.

Meanwhile, Iolani all-state catcher Kala Ka'aihue is awaiting a second opinion of an elbow injury that caused the Boston Red Sox to void his contract. Ka'aihue was a 22nd-round pick in the draft. He also signed a letter to play for UH.

Also, Kamehameha shortstop Keoni Ruth, The Advertiser's Player of the Year last season, is still pondering an undisclosed offer from the Kansas City Royals, who picked him in the 17th round.

Ruth signed a letter of intent with the University of San Diego. He said he is scheduled to leave for San Diego Aug. 27, with classes to begin Sept. 3. He said the Royals have given him up to the first day of school to make his decision.

According to Major League Baseball rules, once Ruth steps into a four-year college classroom, the Royals lose control of his draft rights and he would not be eligible for the draft again until after his third year of college.