Riddle closing in on return
Shoulder injury cost shortstop six months
JUPITER — There were the games of catch in the backyard with his young daughter.
There were also the days he got to spend time offering advice to the baseball players at his high school. There was even the break from the daily grind of being a professional athlete.
All of the experiences helped Marlins shortstop JT Riddle cope with dealing with season-ending shoulder injury a year ago but couldn’t replace the feeling of being in the clubhouse. After six months of inactivity, Riddle is working his way back toward challenging for the starting spot this season.
“It was rough, to be honest, going six months without being able to do something,” Riddle said. “It’s the first time I had to do that. I just had to stay positive with it. It happened. I didn’t know what to expect when it first happened. Surgery went well and everything is good.”
Riddle underwent surgery last August to repair the labrum on his nonthrowing left shoulder. It was the first severe injury of his career.
“It was scary because I’d never went through anything like that before,” Riddle said.
Riddle, who hit .250 with 31 RBIs in 70 games last year, went home to Frankfort, Ky., to conduct most of the rehab. It involved three weekly sessions of strengthening the shoulder.
“That kept me pretty busy,” Riddle said. “Just staying busy and keeping active instead of sitting on the couch. Just trying to stay positive and do what I could do.”
He remained upbeat by taking visits to his high school. It gave him opportunity to work out while also providing the prep players some insight on the MLB life. He also spent more quality time with family.
“I went over to the high school practices and hung out with them,” Riddle said. “I talked to them a little bit about different things. Of course, I got a little girl back home so she kept me busy as well. It was fun. Tossing some balls to her and messing around with her. That kept me busy for sure.”
Riddle said he is still experiencing some discomfort while throwing. Until he recovers, Miguel Rojas is the likely choice as starter.
Still, the Marlins remain high on Riddle.
“We liked what JT brings to the table,” manager Don Mattingly said. “We saw a huge change from two springs ago to last spring. That really kind of opened our eyes because you never know. He seemed a little nervous and cautious in the first camp. The second camp it was a whole different guy. A guy that got comfortable and made big strides. When we saw him come up, he was calm.”
For Riddle, it’s just a matter of regaining comfort since the injury. He expects the process to take at least another two weeks before he returns to full strength.
“It’s going to be based on the throwing,” Riddle said. “That’s what’s kind of holding me back a little bit. When I get to that point when my throwing feels normal, where I can throw it across the diamond.”
Maybin held out
Leftfielder Cameron Maybin was held out of Saturday’s game against the New York Mets because of sore left Achilles. He will not travel to Orlando for Sunday’s game versus the Atlanta Braves but is expected back Monday.
“I’d rather give him a couple days [off ] now and be able to get regular atbats,” Mattingly said. “I just don’t want to let this thing turn into something where you miss a week and then all of sudden you’re rushing to try to get him ready.”