Conforto isn’t hitting during ‘boring’ rehab
METS SLUGGER Michael Conforto said he is feeling good but hasn’t started swinging a bat yet as he works his way back from a freak shoulder injury.
Conforto spoke about his rehab Wednesday as he took part in the Mets’ annual coat drive at Citi Field.
The outfielder, who dislocated his left shoulder on a swing and miss during an Aug. 24 game against the Diamondbacks, has been rehabbing the shoulder 3-4 times a week.
“Super monotonous, super boring,” Conforto said about his rehab, split between New York and Seattle. “It’s a grind in a different way. Usually at this point I’m kicking it up a notch in my workouts and trying to get into great shape. Right now it’s all about the shoulder.
“My shoulders have never been in better shape,” Conforto joked. “It might help my throwing arm.”
He said in his normal, day-to-day life his shoulder feels fine, but that he has yet to be cleared to do exercises that put stress on the surgically repaired shoulder.
Conforto, who said he has been assured by doctors that there is almost no chance of repeating the injury, won’t change the mechanics of his swing.
Conforto had surgery in September at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in California to repair the torn capsule in his shoulder. He’ll return to L.A. in a couple weeks so the doctors can assess his progress. He expects to find out when he can start hitting at that point.
Mets GM Sandy Alderson said earlier this week that he didn’t think Conforto would be ready to play by Opening Day.
While Conforto said he’s definitely itching to get back in the batting cage, he said he’s not concerned about his timetable to get back on the field being pushed back further. He said he plans on heading down to Port St. Lucie at the end of January so the Mets can keep an eye on his progress.
Although he said he hasn’t spoken to Alderson since the end of the season, Conforto said the message from the Mets has been AP consistent: It’s a long season, don’t rush it.
He admitted that the slow and steady approach will be tough “because I want to be out there.”
Conforto, who earned his first All-Star appearance last season, was having a breakout campaign before the injury ended his season. He was hitting .279 with 27 home runs and 68 RBI at the time.