David Ortiz takes batting practice Monday July 7th.
If David Ortiz first public batting practice was any indication, the Red Sox slugger should not have any major difficulties returning to his old form as he recovers from a left wrist injury.
Ortiz, who hasn’t played since May 31 due to a torn tendon sheath, quietly returned to live BP in the indoor batting cage Sunday at Yankee Stadium.
When he passed that test, the designated hitter was cleared to join a regular hitting group prior to last night’s 1-0 win over the Minnesota Twins at Fenway.
The performance against BP pitchers Ino Guerrero and Matt Noone was impressive. Taking 36 swings spread out over six segments, Ortiz clobbered six home runs, including five over the bullpens and into the right field bleachers. Approximately two-thirds of his cuts resulted in line drives. Ortiz reported that he tested the wrist by taking hard swings and didn’t feel any pain, only occasional soreness.
“It feels like I’m going back to normal,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz will not be able to play in next week’s All-Star Game after being voted as an AL starter for the fourth consecutive season. He did, however, say he should have an approximate date for his return to the Sox lineup several days before next Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic.
“After this week, when I hit on the field, I will know,” he said. “That will be the last thing we do.”
Ortiz said he is becoming more optimistic that he will be able to avoid offseason surgery. Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell and Arizona Diamondbacks manager and former big league catcher Bob Melvin suffered similar injuries and told Ortiz that offseason rest should alleviate the problem.
“This is an injury that takes time (to heal),” Ortiz said. “When you’re swinging and swinging and swinging, I don’t think it will be 100 percent. Now, when you shut things down and forget about swinging and forget about trying to come back, that’s when the ligament will finally be able (to heal).”
While he doesn’t expect to be back to 100 percent healthy this season, Ortiz said there is no reason to believe he won’t be “at least 95” upon returning.
“It’s hard, man, because you want to be out there, but I’m trying to be patient,” he said. “I don’t want to be stupid about coming back. I don’t want to come back and not be ready. When I come back, I want to be ready to play and help this ballclub.”
Clay on way
Clay Buchholz will return from Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday and take the turn of Justin Masterson, who was sent down to begin working on a conversion from starter to reliever. Outfielder/first baseman Jeff Bailey (.301, 23 homers, 61 RBI) was called up to temporarily fill Masterson’s roster spot.
Buchholz, 2-3 with a 5.53 ERA in eight starts in the big leagues before being optioned to Pawtucket in late May, reworked his delivery and focused on moving his hand farther away from his head on fastballs, which led to more pitch movement. The right-hander went 4-2 with a 2.47 ERA in nine International League starts.
“His offspeed, changeup, breaking ball can be devastating, but when his fastball wandered back over the plate, he was getting hit pretty hard,” manager Terry Francona said. “This is a kid who doesn’t need to be fighting for his life out there. He has a chance to be a dominant major league pitcher.”
Boston Herald.
