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
INJURY: FRACTURED LEFT FIBULA, TORN ANKLE LIGAMENTS
GAMES PLAYED IN 2011: 45
ON WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING HURT: "WHEN YOU'RE PLAYING, THERE ARE MORE THINGS YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THAN YOURSELF. BUT WHEN YOU'RE REHABBING, YOUR MAIN FOCUS IS GETTING YOURSELF HEALTHY SO YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE AGAIN."
ON THE HARDEST PART OF BEING OUT: "YOU PREPARE SO MUCH FOR A SEASON, THEN YOU HAVE TO TURN A SWITCH AND CHANGE YOUR MIND-SET. HAVING A TIMELINE MADE THE PROCESS EASIER."
ON A BLESSING IN DISGUISE: "BEING THERE WHEN MY TWINS WERE BORN. WHEN MY WIFE WENT INTO LABOR [IN AUGUST], THE TEAM WAS IN MIAMI, SO I WOULD HAVE BEEN HARD-PRESSED TO BE BACK IN TIME. I DIDN'T WANT TO GET HURT, BUT IT CAME AT A GOOD TIME FOR ME."