Percival "absolutely" planning for opening day
Closer Troy Percival said is recovering well from Dec. 3 back surgery and "absolutely" expects to be ready for the start of the season.
Percvial said he plans to pitch in 5-6 exhibition games and expects to start the season as the Rays closer.
"I've had no setbacks,'' he said after reporting to camp this morning. "I'll be ready in spring training. I've already been off the mound twice. I get really stiff for about two hours after I'm done, but I think that's pretty good considering I had 5 1/2 hours of back surgery.''
His first priority is to get himself into shape, and figures that it will take him about three weeks. "Throwing-wise, I expect to be not more than a week or two weeks behind everybody,'' he said.
Percival, 39, was sidelined much of the second half of last season with leg and back problems, and did not pitch in the postseason for the Rays.
"I feel better now than I did at any point last year,'' Percival said. "My back was killing me last year. I still have back pain but I don't have the things that go with it. My legs last year were really numb, they were shaking all the time. I have all the strength back in my legs. That's probably the biggest bonus that I've noticed.''
Percival said he had two "burst" herniated discs removed, and had his spine shaved to relive an entrapped nerve. He said he can throw off-the mound and play long-toss with no issues, but is restricted from running on hard ground or doing fielding drills. He also has been able to resume playing golf.
"Anything can happen, but as of right now I'm coming in feeling better body-wise than I did last year,'' he said. "Last year I was two days in I was blowing hamstrings, I don't anticipate that happening, especially with the workouts they've got me on.''
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has no medical or fitness professional mentioned the possibility that if he didn't look like a bowling ball stacked on top of toothpicks, maybe he wouldn't have so many back and hamstring issues? i mean, seriously, you're a multi-million dollar athlete, at least work as hard as the guy next door who runs a few 5k's a year.
Posted by: skp | February 13, 2009 at 02:12 PM
here's some advice on how to get in shape: lose about 40lbs of beer belly and maybe you wouldn't put so strain on your back and legs...
Posted by: davidsmarch | February 13, 2009 at 11:28 AM