Counsell rests sore back

Steve Gilbert
MLB.com
May 7, 2006

PHOENIX -- Diamondbacks shortstop Craig Counsell was scratched from Sunday's starting lineup due to a stiff back.

With Counsell out, Damion Easley moved from second base, where he was penciled in to give Orlando Hudson a day of rest, to shortstop, and Hudson was reinserted in the lineup.

"He's got just a little bit of mid-back stiffness," manager Bob Melvin said. "He actually felt great last night, and we were going to play him today with the day off [Monday]. But with a little bit of issues there, we'll give him today and [Monday]. It doesn't mean that he won't be available at some point today."

Counsell was one of the D-Backs' offensive stars on Saturday night, as he drove in two of the club's three runs.

"It's a stiff back," was all Counsell would say.