David Ortiz Wants to Take Time to ‘Heal Up the Right Way,’ So He Won’t Push Ailing Achilles Again

BOSTON — The door hasn't been closed on David Ortiz'
season yet, but it's pretty close.

After receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection two weeks
ago, the slugger's ailing Achilles has improved. But it may not progress
quickly enough for Ortiz to return to the diamond this season, especially after
he re-aggravated the injury Aug. 24.

"To be honest with you, what I'm looking for right
now is to make sure I heal up the right way," Ortiz said. "I pushed
it once. Didn't work. So I'm not going to push it again. If I'm good to go, I'm
good to go. If I am, I am."

Ortiz is wearing a protective
boot again. While the designated hitter is scheduled to shed the boot Tuesday, he said he doesn't feel anywhere close to 100 percent.

"I'm not there yet," Ortiz said. "When
they do that PRP thing, they kind of dig in there. They're adding something
that wasn't there. That's got to go back in place and start the healing
process.

"So I'm pretty sure that after they get the boot
off, I'm going to start getting treatment different than what I'm getting right
now. It all depends now how sensitive still I get to be down there. They think
step by step."

Ortiz is aware the injury will trigger questions as he
enters free agency. Despite the concerns, the 36-year-old remains optimistic
that his setback won't affect his value on the open market.

"I think, of course, whoever's going to sign you is
going to make sure that you are healthy," Ortiz said. "Everybody
knows that. It's not a secret. But on the other hand, I think it's going to be
fine."

His career certainly depends on it.

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