Forever - Christian Yelich

We're Letting You Play.

Brooklyn~

"Hey, Couns, can we talk for a minute. I wanted to get another opinion on Christian." Jordan, Sarah, and I all walked up to him as he stands in the dugout watching the guys. 

"Yeah, what's up?" he says and crosses his arms.

"We've all discussed what we think should happen, we just need another view and opinion. I sent you the papers that were given to him today as he went into an appointment to get his knee checked out. His knee is bruised, including the bone. He's allowed to play just very limited. They told us that he should not play a full game until he's feeling 100%. If you guys seriously need him tonight, he can play, just not the entire game. We don't want to see him go down with a prolonged injury. I know it's an important series and it's always fun when the Dodgers come into town, but, I think we all agreed that we want him healthy to play. We don't want him to play defense. It's probably better if he was used as a pinch-hitter or maybe a pinch-runner. We don't want him bruising his knee even more to the point where it does end up fractured."

"So can he play half of the game if we need him? He doesn't have to start, but like sub him in for Ryan or Tyrone. As you said, this is an important series and we do want him to play. But, on the other hand, we all want him to be healthy and healed. I am going to leave it up to you guys and you tell me whether or not to put him in. You guys are the medical staff, I trust that you will all make the right decision. Now, I have to get the starting lineup in soon so just let me know." I nod and think about our options.

"Okay, I'll let you know. I would rather him not start and just get subbed in. I think that's going to be better for him by not pushing it too much. I'm gonna see how he's feeling and then make a decision."

"Just come and let me know when you decide." He walks up the stairs and to the batting cage to talk to some of the other coaches.

"What are you guys thinking?" I ask them because I don't want to sound like I'm giving him special treatment just because we're together.

Sarah starts to speak up, "Well, I definitely think we should see how he's feeling right now. I say we don't tell him that we're thinking about putting him in because none of us want to get him thinking that we are."

"Jordan, any thoughts?"

"I'm thinking the same thing. Let's just see where he's at. I also see where Couns is coming from, I think we should seriously evaluate the idea of him playing because it can benefit us in this series."

"Can one of you go check up on him? I'm gonna stay out here for a few minutes," I tell them and they both nod and head back into the clubhouse.

I lean on the fence and think about what I should tell Couns. If he does play, he can help them win. But, he could hurt himself more. God, I don't know what to do and I feel like I shouldn't be the one to decide this, but I have to, it's my job.

I walk back down to my office and see Jordan and Sarah asking Christian all sorts of questions. I get Sarah's attention and bring her into my office. "Before you tell me what you think and how today should play out, I think we should let him play. Obviously, not the whole game, but I think we just go for it."

She nods, "He said that he feels fine to play. I think we let him play. We can wrap his knee so it stays compressed, but I also agree that he shouldn't play the whole game. Is this one of the hardest decisions you've had to make?"

"Yes," I laugh, "I just want to make the right decision. I will go let Couns know right now and then I'll come back and tell him."

"Sounds good. I think Jordan is doing PT with Lo and then I'll just start on the other guys."