VIERA, Fla. -- Feeling "way better" after missing two weeks with a sore arm and then strep throat, Drew Storen returned to play catch today and said he has no doubt he'll get enough work in before Opening Day.
"We've still got time," the Nationals closer said. "That's the main thing, seeing the big picture."Storen hasn't pitched since March 7 after experiencing soreness in the biceps area of his right arm, a product (he believe) of throwing too hard in his first two relief appearances of the spring.
"I was trying to get after it too much," he said. "But it's nothing serious."
Storen would have returned to the mound sometime in the last week, but then he came down with strep throat and was told to stay away from the clubhouse for several days. He returned this morning feeling better and ready to resume building his arm up.
The Nationals have 15 days until their season opener in Chicago, and Storen doesn't think he'll need much time to get his arm ready for regular-season work.
"It's like the Interstate," he said. "Once I get on the Interstate, I'm good. I don't want to rush it. If I really try to rush it, that can come back and bite me in the middle of the season. Obviously that's what we're trying to avoid."
The Nationals are also taking a cautious approach with left fielder Michael Morse (lat strain) and first baseman Adam LaRoche (bone bruise in heel). Manager Davey Johnson said he believes both players will resume baseball activities Sunday.
That said, Johnson did suggest for the first time the possibility one or both players might not be ready for Opening Day.
"We're going to be ultra cautious," the manager said. "If the doctors feel if we don't baby them it could be something that lingers, I'm going to monitor real close and I'm not going to push them to get them ready for Opening Day if they think that'd be a setback. Any of them."
26 comments:
Drip, drip drip. This is called--break it to me gently! Classic Nats PR when it comes to injuries.
So true. This is the time for dress rehersal for the season. So, now we should pay attention to everything.
There's just too much to worry about in this story . I guess I'm sanguine about Drew, but envisioning DeRosa and Roger at 1st and in left on April 5. I'll remain hopeful that we'll see Adam and the Beast at the home opener.
If worst comes to worst, we might see Xavier Nady in the outfield (or at 1st) and we'd more than likely at least see him on the roster. That's what the Nats got him for--insurance.
I'm not worried about Storen. He says he's fine, I believe him.
Closers apparently need very little preparation for the regular season anyway.
Losing Morse for any amount of time during the regular season would be disastrous. The Nats absolutely must have his bat to contend for that 5th wild card spot.
I thought I kept up on my lads pretty well. When was it listed that Storen had a sore bicep? This is getting to be like hockey where they keep stuff vague. If I missed that I apologize.
If worst comes to worst, we might see Xavier Nady in the outfield (or at 1st) and we'd more than likely at least see him on the roster. That's what the Nats got him for--insurance.
Nady is just like Morse he has to get in baseball shape. He isn't even close yet. Nady is a potential replacement later in the season NOT opening day.
My guess would by Tyler Moore if Morse can't go and DeRosa for Morse. Bernadina or one of the others gets to linger a bit longer ... I cannot see any other viable possibility. Tracy Chapman is not a viable possibility.
Looks like Perry just earned a trip to Syracuse ... wonder if they consider trying to start him again?
Correction: My guess would by Tyler Moore if LaRoche can't go and DeRosa for Morse.
From the letter that accompanied my 2012 season tickets:
"Stephen Strasburg returns, while Gio Gonzalez joins an already powerful young pitching staff. In addition, Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse, Danny Espinosa, Wilson Ramos, Jayson Werth and the rest of the team bring a competitive fire and take-no-prisoners approach that will make this year one to remember."
No mention of Desmond by name. I'm not saying...but I'm just saying...
ummm...awkward
take-no-prisoners approach
Just finished watching the game....Morse and LaRoche better not be hurt. This blatent lack of offense is disconcerting to say the least.
They had better start hitting or Stras/Gio/Zim/EJax/WDL will need to have ERAs under 1.00 to pick up W's.
Doesn't everyone have a bit of a sense of deja vu? It's nothing serious...just a day or two...we're being cautious...well maybe a short stint on the DL...yeah, he had surgery yesterday and is done for the season... Didn't we live through this last year?
If LaRoche and Morse aren't ready to go, we better hope that Werth has a breakout year!
FORE! (teen)
(darn, still trying to get that timing down here in ST)
Weird enough to use "take-no-prisoners". Makes no sense in baseball and it is just (as 1a might say) awkward. But it is downright bizzare that the Nats would put Wilson Ramos and take-no-prisoners in the same sentence.
Personally, I'm going to go ahead and hope Werth has a break out year regardless.
It just seems impossible that all three of our legitimate first base options (ALR, Morse and Chris Marero) could ALL be unable to play. One of those first two will show up by Opening Day, I predict.
No mention of Desmond by name. I'm not saying...but I'm just saying...
It's about time the team stopped touting Desmond as one if its young cornerstones. You here it all the time -- "We have young guys like Strasburg, Zimmermann, Harper, Desmond." Ugh.
Wow, guess who is making a serious run to make the roster? For the Yankees, that is. Justin Maxwell is 10-23 for a .435 BA, 519 OBP, and 1.171 OPS! Meanwhile, Swisher is out with a groin injury. I wish Max nothing but good luck.
storen throws with an inverted w,im not suprised he has a sore arm.
Drew Storen won't be fine. NOONE is ever fine when they get injured on this team!
Every injury is always more severe than originally thought when it comes to this team.
Where is the love for Desmond and Lannan. Both with very good games. Its amazing with all the crap both take that the accolades seem few and far between when they do well.
Anon- Storen WILL be fine! :-)
Gonat- Lannan and Desmond had very good games today. How's that? :-)
See my comments in the game thread. :-)
Gonat said...
Where is the love for Desmond and Lannan. Both with very good games. Its amazing with all the crap both take that the accolades seem few and far between when they do well.
March 21, 2012 5:49 PM
Every injury is always more severe than originally thought when it comes to this team.
Yep -- every one. Like when Harper strained his calf two weeks ago and had to miss some games. And management said it was just a strain, and he'd be back soon, all he needed was rest. Where did we hear that before.
And it ended up being . . . umm . . . a strain.
Any time Desmond boots a grounder he by definition does NOT have a very good game. He's such a below average fielding SS. You can't convince me any of our starters don't experience the pucker when a ball is hit his way. I can't imagine he isn't moved or flat beaten out by Lombo by June.
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