Monday, January 25, 1999

Lopez sidelined

By Wes Woods

On-Line Forty-Niner

Senior rightfielder Chuck Lopez, who led Long Beach State in hitting last year, is redshirting this year because of "Tommy John surgery," said Long Beach State Head Baseball Coach Dave Snow.

Lopez is still recovering from off-season elbow surgery in September, Snow said.

The loss of Lopez will be tough for the "Dirtbags."

"He's a proven Division 1 run producer ... no one guy will be able to take his place. We'll all have to step up," Snow said.

Snow said he was hoping the off-season rehabilitation would help him to play this season.

But, "the doctor checked him a week ago and said that its safer for him to rehab, so we'll redshirt him this year."