David Ortiz’s spring trainings always are rather interesting.
Ortiz, who tends to make news every year at camp, has been noticeably absent from the Boston Red Sox’s lineup since March 16. The 39-year-old battled dehydration and general soreness, but with some curious about his prolonged absence, the slugger explained that the Red Sox’s medical staff advised him to rest to combat the issue.
“Everything just tied up on me and I started feeling sore. I couldn’t run,” Ortiz told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford earlier this week. “I’ve had it before. The minute I started feeling that way I went to the doctor and they already knew.
“I don’t know why people would criticize. Dehydrating is part of being human. You know how hot it’s been down here? I dehydrate and then I caught a bad cold. So all these symptoms get all your joints tied up, which normally happens. I started feeling soreness, so they shut me down. Now I’m starting to regroup and feel better. I have this thing I’ve got to manage the right way.”
Ortiz returned to the Red Sox’s starting lineup Thursday against the Minnesota Twins. He entered the contest with only 17 Grapefruit League plate appearances, but the nine-time All-Star has proved over the years that he’s fully capable of succeeding during the regular season even without that many spring training at-bats. Why should this season be any different?
“I’ve got to be smart about it. I’m not 20 anymore, and this ball club needs me for the season,” Ortiz told Bradford. “I see people getting worried about me in spring training and I’m like, ‘What’s going on? I thought the season was more important than spring training.’ But I understand. I get the memo. I know when people don’t see you playing out there, which is something everybody normally does, they start worrying. But everything is going to be fine for the season.”
Ortiz definitely is one of the few players across Major League Baseball who can become a major story even without crossing the white lines.
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
