Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Violence widens ahead of Greek austerity vote

Indians reliever improved, but remains critical

Lara suffered fractured spine, brain trauma, broken ribs, punctured lung

Lara AP
Juan Lara pitched in nine games for the Indians in 2006.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Cleveland Indians reliever Juan Lara showed some improvement but remained in critical condition Friday, nearly a week after his car crash in the Dominican Republic.

“Juan has showed mild improvement from the lung trauma he suffered in the accident,” said Dashira Martinez, spokesman for Santo Domingo’s Plaza de la Salud hospital.

His condition has not changed otherwise, Martinez said.

The 26-year-old left-hander suffered a fractured spine, severe brain trauma, two broken ribs and a punctured lung in the crash Saturday night. Two others were killed.

Lara had been pitching in the Dominican winter league. Lino Diaz, the Indians’ director of Latin American operations, traveled to the country to check on Lara, but Dominican doctors said his condition was too fragile to risk moving him to a U.S. hospital.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

advertisement
More news
Milwaukee Brewers v St. Louis Cardinals - Game Four
NBC Sports
Who made the better move?

SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?

Image: Detroit Tigers v Los Angeles Dodgers
Getty Images
DeMarco: Dodgers can become power

DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.

Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos

Interactive
Rangers Spring Baseball
Maps to spring training sites
Your guide to sites in Arizona, Florida
Slideshow
Houston Astros
  Unbreakable records in baseball
A look at the most unbreakable records in baseball including Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters.
Slideshow
Image: Albert Pujols
  The top tools of baseball
You hear a lot about the tools of baseball, but who are the best hitters, fielders and pitchers? We break it down.

more photos