Nomar Garciaparra will be out at least 2 months, reports the Chicago Sun-Times, as the result of the injury sustained during Wednesday's game. Baseball Prospectus's Will Carroll notes (sub. req'd) that "[t]he reason Garciaparra doubled over was not a strained groin, it was an avulsion. That means the tendon literally tore away from the bone." If Garciaparra elects to have surgery to repair the tear, "it would in effect end his 2005," writes Carroll.

There is one benefit to this injury.

Garciaparra signed a one-year contract with the Cubs in the offseason. His options for signing a multi-year deal with another team were limited, give the injury problems he has had in the recent past and the subsequent substandard offensive and defensive performance. Whether Garciaparra misses 2 months or the rest of the year, he will still have failed to demonstrate that he can play a full season at an elite level. This may afford the Cubs the opportunity to sign Garciaparra to another 1-year deal for 2006, incentive-laden, if they choose to pursue that route. Despite the recent past, Garciaparra remains one of the better shortstops in baseball. The Cubs seemingly got him at a bargain in 2005, and may be able to do so again in 2006.