NEW YORK -- He’s sporting a fat lip and his mother gave him a new nickname, but Todd Frazier is otherwise OK two days after a nasty spill scared everyone, himself included.
“Good to go,” Frazier said before Friday’s series opener against the New York Yankees.
Two days after the third baseman punctured his lower lip after he dove into the stands in pursuit of a foul ball, which required five stitches, Frazier is back in the White Sox lineup. Frazier said he isn’t restricted and was even able to enjoy Thursday’s day off with his family in nearby Toms River, N.J.
“It looks like a big ol’ lip, that’s about it,” Frazier said. “My mom keeps calling me Louie The Lip. My name’s not Louie, but uh, ready to go. I’m in the lineup, I’m pretty excited and it’s good to be in New York. It was a good day off yesterday. Couldn’t have asked for better weather. I was playing kick ball with my nephews and son and nieces and we had a good little day.”
Frazier’s dive into the stands at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington, Texas caught the attention of his friends and family, many of whom checked in on him both Wednesday and Thursday. It actually may have been the way Frazier covered his mouth with his glove and raced to the dugout that frightened people.
While Frazier feels fortunate the damage isn’t worse -- “Shoot man, I could have my jaw wired shut,” he said -- it won’t stop his all-out play. Despite a full out dive into the stands, Frazier couldn’t haul in Prince Fielder’s foul pop up. Later in his at-bat, Fielder doubled in a pair of runs off Mat Latos and tied the game. Frazier said his effort on every play can make the difference between winning and losing and he intends to push it.
He also has no plans to wear a mouth guard.
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“That’s what happens,” Frazier said. “You play hard. I’m trying to get every ball on defense and the pitchers know. A lot of them came by me and said thanks for putting the effort in and I appreciate that a lot because to win a game sometimes is harder than you think. Make a big play there, Prince Fielder doesn’t get a double and maybe we win that game. You just never know what situation comes up and helps you during the game.”