RECOVERY WARDS
March 26, 2012
ON AVERAGE, 38% OF BIG LEAGUERS LAND ON THE DISABLED LIST EACH SEASON, THEIR BATTING PRACTICE AND BULLPEN SESSIONS REPLACED BY REST AND REHAB. THIS YEAR SOME BIG NAMES ARE MAKING COMEBACKS AFTER MISSING ALL OR MOST OF 2011. HERE'S WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR MINDS AND—WITH THE HELP OF THE ARTISTS AT THE VISUAL MD—IN THEIR BODIES
ON WHAT HE'S LEARNED: "THE GAME LOOKS SO MUCH EASIER ON TV AND FROM THE STANDS THAN WHEN YOU ARE ACTUALLY PLAYING IT."
KENDRYS MORALES
DH, ANGELS
INJURY: FRACTURED LEFT ANKLE
GAMES PLAYED IN 2011: 0
ON HIS LOWEST MOMENT: "GOING THROUGH A SECOND SURGERY WAS THE TOUGHEST PART. YOU ALMOST COULDN'T SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. THAT WAS THE MOMENT WHERE I WENT, MAN, AM I REALLY GOING TO RECOVER FROM THIS?"
ON THE BEST REHAB ADVICE HE GOT: "A PHYSICAL THERAPIST TOLD ME, 'YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PAIN. THE PAIN IS PART OF IT. YOU CANNOT GIVE UP.'"
ON HIS NEXT HURDLE: "GETTING THE CONFIDENCE BACK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE O.K. IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND A HALF SINCE FACING LIVE PITCHING, SINCE PLAYING, SINCE HAVING ANY RIGOROUS ACTIVITIES ON THE FIELD. IT'S JUST GETTING USED TO EVERYTHING AGAIN."
BUSTER POSEY
C, GIANTS