JETHAWKS REPORT : Molina Cries Foul Over Injury

Luis Molina isn’t just sitting back and taking his season-ending knee injury quietly. Molina believes Jose Castro, the Modesto A’s second baseman, intentionally injured him on a hard slide breaking up a double play at second base on Sunday.

Molina upended Castro a few innings earlier on a similar play, but Castro was not as badly hurt. Molina tore ligaments and cartilage in his left knee and may have also broken a bone.

“I think it was on purpose,” Molina said, sitting in the clubhouse with his leg packed in a brace. “It’s dirty baseball. . . . It’s not my fault. I was just trying to play hard. It’s frustrating.”

Molina underwent an MRI on Tuesday and the results will be known today, though trainer Rob Nodine said Molina’s knee will most likely require reconstructive surgery.

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First baseman Shawn Buhner came off the disabled list Tuesday and was in the starting lineup. Third baseman Carlos Villalobos went on the seven-day disabled list, retroactive to Saturday, but he is expected to be out at least another 10 days with a strained rotator cuff. Villalobos was injured on a collision at home Friday.

In the meantime, here is how the remodled JetHawk infield will look: Jason Cook, who played second base, at third; utility infielder Mike Lanza at shortstop; Adonis Harrison, called up from extended spring training on Monday, at second; Buhner and James Clifford sharing time at first. Luis Figueroa, who came from extended spring training with Harrison, can also play third.

Catcher Dusty Wathan has severe tendinitis in his left wrist and he won’t be able to play for at least a week. Catcher Scot Sealy, who dislocated and broke his left thumb, may be able to play in four or five days.

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Tonight’s Game:

Bakersfield (Rob Kell, 2-2, 4.05) at JetHawks (Chris Beck, 4-3, 4.03), 7:15.