National Post (National Edition)
Being around team helps injured Travis
Second baseman stays upbeat after latest surgery
TORONTO • Wondering how Devon Travis is dealing with his latest injury setback? The hard-luck Blue Jays second baseman sums it up in just three words.
“I’ll be back,” Travis said Wednesday.
Travis is all too familiar with the situation: Injured and watching his Blue Jays teammates from the dugout when the games start to matter the most.
While the stretch run of the 2017 season hasn’t quite arrived, the Blue Jays are in a crucial portion of their schedule that could determine whether a third-straight playoff berth is attainable. After the series against the Orioles, they play division rivals Boston (at home) and New York (on the road), followed by a four-game homestand against the league-leading Houston Astros.
Travis was placed on the 60-day disabled list last week following surgery on his right knee. It’s his second surgery on the knee and his third surgery in as many seasons. He had shoulder surgery in 2015.
“When you’re gone, the best thing you can do is do your best to be a good teammate and just being here in the dugout, it’s nice,” he said.
Travis, 26, says it’s been tough dealing with so many injuries, but he finds solace in helping his teammates in whatever way he can.
“Being able to slap hands when they come in the dugout, any questions, or anything I can ever help with, it’s nice to be around.”
Travis has missed 213 regular season games of a possible 486 in his career due to injury: that’s 44 per cent. But he says the injuries have taught him to appreciate how fortunate he is, too.
“We’re so lucky and blessed to call this our job that subtle reminders when you get hurt and you’re away from the game, they definitely smack you on the back a little bit,” he said. “When you’re away from the game, you really get to see and you really get to feel how much you love the game and how much the game really impacts your life.”
Travis has tried to remain optimistic through the rehabilitation process, although it can be challenging.
“You know, it’s frustrating,” he said. “(Rehab) actually just seems to get more and more frustrating every time you do it … it doesn’t really get easier in the sense of dealing with it, but it does get easier in the sense of making a comeback for sure.”