Garciaparra hopes to be back in Boston lineup next week
By John Seewer, Associated Press Writer | June 4, 2004
TOLEDO, Ohio --Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra knows he still has some work to do before he can get back into the Red Sox lineup.
Garciaparra struggled at the plate Thursday, going 0-for-4 and striking out twice in the third game of his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket.
So far, he's 2-for-10 in his first action since injuring his right Achilles' tendon when he fouled a ball off his heel in spring training on March 17.
Garciaparra said he had trouble picking up the ball Thursday night in Toledo.
"I felt horrible," he said. "That's why I'm here, to do the work and try and get my timing down.
"You can't just jump in there," Garciaparra said.
He did make a nice defensive play in the second inning, reaching far to his right for a ball into the hole and making an off-balance throw to get Toledo's Eric Owens at first base.
"That was pretty big," he said. "Plays like that I want to be able to do instinctively. I want to be able to go all out."
He said he felt comfortable playing seven innings and thought he could've played more in the 3-2 loss to the Toledo Mud Hens. Marcus Thames hit a two-run homer in the fifth for Toledo.
Garciaparra will spend three days in Toledo and plans to fly back to Boston after Saturday's game to be evaluated. If all goes well, he could be in Boston's lineup Tuesday against San Diego.
"I would like to," Garciaparra said. "But I've never put a definite time on it or said this is my mark or this is my goal.
Garciaparra grounded out weakly to second base in his first at bat and struck out in the third inning, swinging at a ball far out of the strike zone.
After flying out sharply to center in the fifth, Garciaparra struck out looking on three pitches and had a few words with the home plate umpire before heading to the dugout.
The five-time AL All-Star played five innings in two games for the PawSox against Louisville before going back to Boston this week to work out and be evaluated by team doctors.
"All signs were good," he said. "It was a good evaluation."
The two-time batting champion said right now he is making sure he can move around without worrying about his heel.
Although the team initially hoped he could be ready for the start of the season, his rehab has been slower than first expected.
The Red Sox shortstop, who can become a free agent after the season, clearly was happy just to be playing again.
"It drives me crazy to not be able to play," he said. "I'm just excited to be in this baseball atmosphere."
Despite being out all season, Garciaparra leads AL shortstops in the first voting totals for next month's All-Star game. He said he was flattered and a little apologetic.
"I feel bad because there are guys out there having tremendous years that definitely should be in the All-Star game," he said.
By John Seewer, Associated Press Writer | June 4, 2004
TOLEDO, Ohio --Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra knows he still has some work to do before he can get back into the Red Sox lineup.
Garciaparra struggled at the plate Thursday, going 0-for-4 and striking out twice in the third game of his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket.
So far, he's 2-for-10 in his first action since injuring his right Achilles' tendon when he fouled a ball off his heel in spring training on March 17.
Garciaparra said he had trouble picking up the ball Thursday night in Toledo.
"I felt horrible," he said. "That's why I'm here, to do the work and try and get my timing down.
"You can't just jump in there," Garciaparra said.
He did make a nice defensive play in the second inning, reaching far to his right for a ball into the hole and making an off-balance throw to get Toledo's Eric Owens at first base.
"That was pretty big," he said. "Plays like that I want to be able to do instinctively. I want to be able to go all out."
He said he felt comfortable playing seven innings and thought he could've played more in the 3-2 loss to the Toledo Mud Hens. Marcus Thames hit a two-run homer in the fifth for Toledo.
Garciaparra will spend three days in Toledo and plans to fly back to Boston after Saturday's game to be evaluated. If all goes well, he could be in Boston's lineup Tuesday against San Diego.
"I would like to," Garciaparra said. "But I've never put a definite time on it or said this is my mark or this is my goal.
Garciaparra grounded out weakly to second base in his first at bat and struck out in the third inning, swinging at a ball far out of the strike zone.
After flying out sharply to center in the fifth, Garciaparra struck out looking on three pitches and had a few words with the home plate umpire before heading to the dugout.
The five-time AL All-Star played five innings in two games for the PawSox against Louisville before going back to Boston this week to work out and be evaluated by team doctors.
"All signs were good," he said. "It was a good evaluation."
The two-time batting champion said right now he is making sure he can move around without worrying about his heel.
Although the team initially hoped he could be ready for the start of the season, his rehab has been slower than first expected.
The Red Sox shortstop, who can become a free agent after the season, clearly was happy just to be playing again.
"It drives me crazy to not be able to play," he said. "I'm just excited to be in this baseball atmosphere."
Despite being out all season, Garciaparra leads AL shortstops in the first voting totals for next month's All-Star game. He said he was flattered and a little apologetic.
"I feel bad because there are guys out there having tremendous years that definitely should be in the All-Star game," he said.
