Bonilla Might Be Sidelined

Bobby Bonilla’s injured left hamstring could be more serious than the Marlins initially believed.

The third baseman suffered the injury Tuesday night during the Marlins’ 7-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 6 of the National League championship series at Turner Field. Bonilla strained his hamstring while throwing out Ryan Klesko in the eighth inning.

Bonilla was replaced by Alex Arias. The Marlins had thought Bonilla would be ready to play in Game 1 of the World Series on Saturday night, but after a team workout Thursday, Bonilla said he’s not ready to play.

“If the game was tonight I couldn’t play,” Bonilla said. “In my heart I want to be out there with the guys, but I don’t want to hurt the team.”

Bonilla received treatment on his hamstring before and after participating in batting practice. Bonilla did not participate in infield practice.

Bonilla’s status will affect other roster moves by Manager Jim Leyland. Outfielder Cliff Floyd had been expected to replace infielder John Wehner on the 25-man roster for the World Series, but Leyland said Wehner will remain on the roster if Bonilla can’t play.

The Marlins have received an exemption to add another player to their roster to replace injured right-hander Alex Fernandez. The Marlins learned Thursday during the championship series that Fernandez had suffered a torn rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder. Under major league rules, they couldn’t replace him until the next series.

Leyland is expected to choose between right-handers Antonio Alfonseca and Rob Stanifer. Left-handed hitters Darren Daulton and Jim Eisenreich are Leyland’s top choices to be the Marlin designated hitter when the series shifts to Cleveland for Game 3.

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Even now, the Marlins can’t escape the Braves.

Marlin players were angered by comments attributed to Brave center fielder Kenny Lofton, who was said to have complained about the lighting at Pro Player Stadium. The Braves had also complained about umpire Eric Gregg’s strike zone after the Marlins’ 2-1 victory in Game 5.

Marlin rookie right-hander Livan Hernandez struck out 15 Braves to tie a championship series record for both leagues.

“I have respect for the guys over there who aren’t saying anything, but I don’t respect the guys who keep chirping about bad umpire calls and lighting,” Marlin center fielder Devon White said. “We all had to catch the ball and we all had to hit the ball. You don’t see us making any excuses.”

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The plate umpire in Game 1 will be Ed Montague of the National League.

“I’ll have to get a feel for the umpire,” Hernandez said through an interpreter. “I’m going to work the corners and change up my pitches like I did against Atlanta.”

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Leyland, who was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, said he has received many phone calls from Cleveland during the last few days.

“I went to high school with 125 people,” Leyland said, “and all of a sudden that number has jumped to about 925. And they all want tickets.”