Ortiz ‘feels good’

Slugger takes batting practice for first time since injury

 

 

MLB. Big Papi took some big swings before yesterday’s game between the Red Sox and Twins at Fenway Park.

David Ortiz took his normal rounds of batting practice and blasted six balls out of Fenway while swinging at full strength. More importantly, the 32-year-old designated hitter didn’t feel any significant pain in his left wrist while taking a step up in hitting intensity.

“It feels good,” Ortiz said. “I was trying to swing hard and make sure I don’t feel anything. It was fine, and I’m going to keep doing what the trainers tell me to do and keep working hard.

“When I come back, I want to be ready to play and help this ballclub. From what I see, I start swinging and get a little sore, but then I get going more and more and I feel stronger as I go along.”

Ortiz, who was leading the Sox with 13 home runs and 43 RBI when he partially tore the tendon sheath in his left wrist on May 31, will continue to increase his batting practice participation while working toward a minor-league rehab assignment expected to take place in the next few weeks.

The Sox offense managed to survive — and even thrive — throughout June when Ortiz first succumbed to the wrist injury, but the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder’s presence has been missed in recent weeks as Boston has dropped in the standings.

Privately, the Sox front office had begun making preparations in case Ortiz’s injury wasn’t healing, and sluggers like Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday and Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira had both been eyed as possible trade targets.

Barry Bonds had even mentioned in the more far-fetched scenarios if Ortiz was still hurting, but yesterday’s successful batting practice session should quiet such speculation.