Mark Menendez practiced for three days, but didn’t get to make a cast in the DEWALT Bassmaster Elite at Eufaula Lake. As reported earlier this week, Menendez left in pain early Wednesday, headed for the Huntsville (Ala.) Orthopedic Clinic. In a phone conversation this morning, Menendez said, “I’m hurting. It’s not fun.”
But there is some good news: He didn’t suffer what he thought to be a ruptured disc. “The doctor said the L3, L4 and hip are irritated, and I may have a pinched nerve. He recommended a week of rest and physical therapy for four to six weeks. So I’m out for at least six weeks, and I’m very, very concerned I’m not going to make the New York swing.”
Menendez was referring to the Elite Series tournaments in New York at Cayuga Lake, the St. Lawrence River and Lake Champlain, which begin in mid July.
As for today, Menendez is resting in bed with his “guard dog” Caesar, watching ESPN2 as his fellow Elite Series anglers compete at Lake Eufaula.