BOSTON — The injection of marcaine was exactly what David Ortiz needed.
After spending three weeks on the shelf, the Red Sox designated hitter received a shot on Monday to treat his ailing Achilles injury. And it resulted in a more agile Ortiz during Tuesday’s workouts.
“Today was the first time I ran a little faster than what I’ve been doing,” Ortiz said. “I still have that little sensation there but it’s improving, getting better. Hopefully tomorrow, after an early workout did today, hopefully it doesn’t feel worse than it does today so that will mean I’m improving and that’s a good sign.”
The injection alleviated the inflammation in the Achilles, which had sidelined Ortiz since July 16. Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine revealed that the injury initially cropped up before mid-July.
At the time, it was tolerable for Ortiz. Once he was rounding the bases during Adrian Gonzalez‘s home run against the White Sox, the slugger experienced excruciating discomfort.
The pain snowballed into his workouts. After the shot of marcaine, though, he’s more optimistic about his progression.
“I got the feeling it’s a different feeling, because by this time, when I stop hitting I can start feeling the grabbing down there,” Ortiz said. “I’m not feeling that now and that’s why I’m excited about it. Hopefully, it continues like that so I can come back and play.”
When he does, Ortiz will bypass a minor league rehab assignment. Since he’s a veteran –– and with the clock ticking on the season –– Ortiz is eyeing a return in this weekend’s series against the Indians.
“I’m dying, I want to be playing,” Ortiz said. “It’s not fun, watching. Especially knowing this ballclub needs me the most. Every time we win a game it makes me feel better. It makes me feel more comfortable and takes some of the pressure off myself.
“Those games you see that we lose one or two runs, it gets in your head a little bit because you think you could have done something. It’s an ugly truth and I have to deal with it.”
If all goes according to plan, he won’t have to worry about that much longer.
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