Brian O'Nora

[Larry1953]

Brian O'Nora, 2B umpire had to leave the Brewers @ Rockies game due to back problems in the second inning. A couple of innings later, there was a replacement umpire. How did they get one so quickly? Do MLB crews travel with 5 man crews with an extra in the pressbox or something?

[briancurtin]

Do you know who the replacement was? Could potentially be a roving Triple-A umpire - Colorado Springs has a Triple-A team nearby so maybe someone was available in the area.

[Larry1953]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

Do you know who the replacement was? Could potentially be a roving Triple-A umpire - Colorado Springs has a Triple-A team nearby so maybe someone was available in the area.

2B umpire O'Nora leaves with back problem - USATODAY.com

This article says Cory Blaser took over in the fourth.

[briancurtin]

He's listed on the MLB umpire roster, and he lives in the area according to this.

[yawetag]

Maybe Blaser was already slated to join the crew for a few days due to vacation or some other reason.

[Larry1953]

Originally Posted by yawetag

Maybe Blaser was already slated to join the crew for a few days due to vacation or some other reason.

That's probably it. It kinda sounds like the MLB version of the Little League scenario where a dad comes down from the stands. I imagine the guy was watching the game from his home nearby and lept into action.

How comfortable are MLB umpires with 3-man mechanics. I mean is it something that is so ingrained from minor league experience that it just comes back naturally or do they get rusty?

It sounds like O'Nora has a lumbar disk problem. He might be down a while, especially considering the demands of HP