Grichuk returns as Kernels pound Beloit

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Kernels got a first-round draft pick outfielder back on their active roster Saturday night.

No, no, no, no. Not THAT first-round draft.

It's Randal Grichuk who has returned to the lineup after missing two and a half months because of a left thumb injury that required surgery. Grichuk went 0-for-5 with a run scored in the Kernels' 10-4 victory over Beloit before 4,584 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

“A long day,” Grichuk said with his customary smile.

The affable 18-year-old woke up around 5 a.m. Saturday for an 8:50 a.m. flight out of Arizona, where he was rehabbing and playing for the Arizona Rookie League Angels. It was to Dallas from there, a short layover and a flight to Cedar Rapids.

Grichuk got to the stadium around 4:45 p.m., when he learned he was playing. Not that he minded.

“I wanted to play, but I didn't expect to,” Grichuk said. “I'm glad I did. Get my feet a little wet.”

Grichuk tore the tendon between his thumb and index finger completely off the bone sliding head first into a base in the Kernels' May 7 game against Wisconsin at Miller Park in Milwaukee. He did it in the middle of the game, playing the rest of the way and getting in two at-bats.

It was surgery May 19, some time in a cast and rehabilitation from there. Needless to say, it's been a tough first full season of pro ball for the 26th overall draft pick last year, one spot in front of former Kernel outfielder and mega-prospect Mike Trout.

“You could go ahead and say that,” Grichuk said, when asked if the word “frustrating” summed his season up. “Out two and a half months with a thumb injury my first full season, I wasn't expecting that. But you know, you've got to go with the flow. Whatever happens, you've got to make the best of it.”

Grichuk was hitting .229 in 29 games at the time of his injury. He said he's 100 percent from a baseball standpoint, with evidence being his .327 average and four home runs in just 49 at-bats for the AZL Angels.

"I've been swinging a bat for about two, two and a half weeks now," Grichuk said. "I tore it up in the AZL, hit pretty good. These pitchers didn't seem to be anything too special compared to down (in Arizona). It's just the first day back, a long day, thinking a little too much. Tomorrow will be a new day."

The Kernels (66-42, 23-17) scored four runs each in the fifth and sixth innings to rally. Beloit (57-51) contributed to the comeback with five errors.

Justin Bass,

Matt Long,

Jon Karcich and

Terrell Alliman all had two hits each for Cedar Rapids. The teams play again Sunday at 2.