The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Naquin making strides in return
Tyler Naquin isn’t ready to run through walls yet, but he’s getting there.
On the shelf since tearing his right ACL trying to avoid the outfield wall at Tropicana Field in Tampa last Aug. 30, Naquin is in the Indians spring training 2.0 and looks better than ever, according to Manager Terry Francona.
The most recent chapter of Naquin’s success story came in the Indians’ July 14 intrasquad scrimmage at Progressive Field, when Naquin went 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI.
“I feel really good,” said Naquin prior to the Indians’ scrimmage on July 15. “I might not be going through a wall right now in these games, but I’m playing a little bit smarter and being more aware.”
A healthy Naquin is a good thing for the Indians.
First of all, when healthy, the 29-year-old outfielder has been productive. Before getting hurt last year, he was hitting .288 with 10 home runs, 34 RBI and 34 runs scored.
Secondly, the Indians need reliable outfielders. There’s a glut of them in camp, including Oscar Mercado, Greg Allen, Domingo Santana, Franmil Reyes, Bradley Zimmer, Jake Bauers, and youngster Daniel Johnson. But two others in the outfield mix — Delino DeShields (10-day IL) and Jordan Luplow (back) — are out of action at this point.
The early returns on Naquin’s emergence from ACL surgery are positive.
“The knee feels real good,” he said. “My main objective is to see pitches and be ready for opening day. The knee feels normal. It feels great.”
Manager Terry Francona likes what he’s seen thus far from Naquin. Actually, Naquin benefited from the novel coronavirus putting a halt to the season. It gave him more time to recover.
“I think he’s looking good in all areas of his game,” Francona said. “Of all the guys, this layoff — this forced layoff — probably helped him more than anybody. He came to spring training (in March) trying to finish off that knee, and while we were gone (from COVID-19) he worked every single day.
“That’s a bad knee injury. He’s bouncing back. He’s playing every day. He’s doing a good job.”
The “playing every day” part was a concern for Naquin when he first got to Spring Training 2.0.
That’s not the case as much now.
“The one main concern was how I was going to be opening day,” he said. “How was I going to rebound the next day?
“Last night I played six innings. Then I’m bouncing back today and doing it as well. Each time I bounce back it feels like the day is restarting. That starting poing should only get better as time goes on. I’m pretty excited about that.”
The scrimmages at Progressive Field will soon turn into a three-game exhibition series with the Pirates. Come July 24, games count — and in a 60-game season, being ready from the get-go is of the utmost importance.
Naquin said he will be. “The more time goes on, it only gets better,” he said. “Being able to test (the knee) in these games, it’s gone well.”
Gose goes
Prior to the Indians’ scrimmage on July 15, relief pitcher Anthony Gose was sent to the Lake County camp at Classic Park to continue his spring workout.
The move trims the Indians “big league” roster at Progressive Field to 41. The team needs to cut to 30 prior to the season opener on July 24 against visiting Kansas City.
“We explained to him he will be moving over to the Lake County facility,” Francona said. “Simply, he needs reps.”
Gose came into the majors as an outfielder, playing both in Toronto and Detroit. Following the 2016 season, he changed position and became a pitcher.
“We actually love the arm. We love the kid. We love the potential,” Francona said of 29-year-old Gose. “Of all the guys we have in camp, if anyone needs reps, it was him. And he got that taken away (by the halt of the season back in March because of COVID-19).”
Francona indicated Gose won’t be gone for good.
“We all feel he’s going to be a big contributor,” Francona said. “And when he does, he has a chance to be pretty exciting.”
‘Pen patience
Francona said he has instructed all the Indians relievers to be patient during this abbreviated Spring Training 2.0.
There are only so many innings to go around.
One pitcher champing at the bit for more work is veteran Oliver Perez. The 38-year-old lefty was 2-4 with a 3.98 ERA last year for the Indians, and he’s had a solid spring thus far. And he wants more. “We actually had to back him off a little bit,” said Francona with a grin, shaking his head. “He wanted to go back-to-back on Monday and Tueday. We were like, ‘Wait a minute. Slow down.
“He takes a lot of pride in being available like most relievers do. I think he’s a bright spot for us. I don’t know how old he is — It doesn’t matter. His arm is so resilient.”
Perspective
Francona said he feels for all athletes — high school, college and otherwise — and coaches whose seasons are being affected by COVID-19.
He said he has friends who coach in the college ranks whose livelihood depend on if there is a football season.
Seasons are being canceled, such as Virginia canceling high school football season. Others are being postponed, such as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference suspending fall sports.
Francona feels for them. “What I try to tell a lot of high school seniors is that when you’re 16, 17 and 18 years old, the high school season seems like the ultimate thing,” he said. “In essence, it’s only the beginning.
“I know it’s not the way you wanted it to be, but if you can understand this is not the end it’s the beginning . ... Find what your passion is — whatever it is — grab it with both hands and don’t let it go. And don’t let anybody tell you no. The best way is to get your education, then it’s really hard for people to tell you no.”