Nomar Dodges a Bullet

Looks like Nomar should be ready to play again as soon as he rides out his time on the DL. From MLB.com:

Garciaparra, who left Wednesday night’s game with a left knee injury that appeared nasty, felt so good he canceled an exam by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ team doctor.

Garciaparra said this latest sprain is less severe than the one that put him on the disabled list in July. He noted that he was physically ready to return that time in less than a week, but had to sit out the full 15 days of the disabled list requirement.

“It’s better than expected,” said Garciaparra, who was injured while slamming on the brakes between third and home, his right spikes slipping on the damp grass and his left knee twisting under him. “It’s definitely sore and stiff. But I expected it to keep me up [Wednesday] night and it didn’t. I have to get the soreness and swelling out, but I should be better from this one quicker.”

Garciaparra said the fact that he had already stretched the ligaments in the knee earlier this year made it looser and more flexible, possibly resulting in a lesser injury.