10/07/2025
Are you a weekend warrior? Do you play through pain? You don't have to anymore. Karin Ravalese will help you work out the pain and aches that slow you down. This week, we'll discuss the curious case of Colby Rasmus.. who was done in by a sneeze. Breathing and movement are so important to athletics.
Colby Rasmus
Age: 39 (DOB - 8/11/1986)
Bats left and throws left
Centerfield
MLB debut: 4/7/2009
Last MLB appearance: 7/1/2018
Pictures we can show: diaphragm, baseball player
Pictures of him batting and checking the bat (he injured his oblique in 2013 checking his swing)
The oblique issue was made worse by sneezing a few days later! He was playing for the Toronto Blue Jays during this time.
We talked sneezing and coughing in previous episodes being a sharp and powerful contraction (exhale).
Article on Colby Rasmus: Rasmussen gets breather due to ‘body soreness”https://www.mlb.com/news/rasmus-gets-breather-due-to-body-soreness/c-60675964
By Gregor Chisholm 9/15/13.
How many people have that feeling that you know, Joe? It is very common. That “general body soreness” Key quotes in this article: TORONTO -- Colby Rasmus was held out of the Blue Jays' lineup on Sunday afternoon because of what's being described as "general body soreness."
Colby Rasmus was 27 at the time this article was written. Notice his quote at the bottom:
"I'm not 22 anymore ... knowing that I'm just trying to make sure I keep myself healthy and I'm able to finish strong," Rasmus said. "Obviously I want to play today, but woke up a little sore this morning so I just kind of pulled the reins back to make sure I'm able to do that."
Since we spoke about Intrabdominal pressure, obliques and breathing. He is a perfect person to talk about. I can also bring my sister in as a guest to talk a bit about her services (she is a registered dietician). This can set the following episode up for a mental health practitioner as well due to the diaphragm’s connections.
“Colby Rasmus sprained his left knee while checking his swing in 2008. The injury happened in late July while he was playing for the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The sprain ultimately kept him from playing in the Beijing Olympics with Team USA that year.”
June 2009 Hiatal Hernia (22 years old)
May 2011 (when playing for St. Louis Cardinals) he strained a muscle near his abdominal while weight lifting.
Reported right wrist injury in 2011
February 2013 Sore right shoulder. The manger has been quoted to say” non-throwing shoulder no big deal” “and day-to-day it was significant enough to keep him out the game.” (This is where we can bring up the picture of the pitcher throwing / AOS picture).
2013. It is a big deal because the opposite shoulder works with the opposite hip.
September 2013 he was hit in the face by a ball thrown by Anthony Gose. I see reports of Rajai Davis left eye contusion? Do you know about these incidents Joe? Rajai Davis is interesting topic because in my research I found out he had hemorrhoids. This is also is tied into not being able to build proper Intraabdominal pressure. (Diaphragm, core muscles and pelvic floor connection)
May 2014 Sore hamstring
October 2016 - hip and hernia surgery
2016 RightEar Cyst and vertigo
2016 Left hip and core muscle surgeries (repair labrum and bone spurs in left hip)
June 2017 back on disabled list with left hip soreness (hip tendinitis)
2018 Hip Flexor Strain on the left hip
Groin and knee injuries. Sprained his left knee while checking his swing (late 2008)
July 2017 Announced had to “step away from baseball” “Man, it wasn’t fulfilling me with all the happiness in the world……chasing the dream, chasing the money - leaves you kind of empty. So I wanted to go home and just enjoy the time away”
Feb 2018 “wants to give it another go” Like any dedicated athlete or someone who just loves the activity/sport.
July 2018 stepped away again with the last MLB appearance on 7/1/2018.
Other documented cases of players who experienced oblique strains from a sneeze.
Ricky Romero (right oblique while sneezing) Pitches left, bats right
Goose Gossage hurt his back while sneezing
Reed Johnson granted he got hit in the ribs but the sneezing made it worse
Sammy Sosa low back spasm when sneezed.
Tom Glavine broke his ribs vomiting on an airplane in 1992 (another sharp exhale)
Point: Everyone coughs, sneezes and vomits. Make sure your body is equipped to do so. It’s that one time you leave yourself vulnerable.
Sources are saying “Peculiar trend in baseball with multiple players reporting similar incidents over the years”. I don’t think it’s peculiar at all. It makes perfect sense on how this can happen.
