Post by #1 Jays Fan on Feb 19, 2008 13:41:43 GMT -5
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DUNEDIN, Fla., -- Toronto Blue Jays centre-fielder Vernon Wells said his left shoulder is feeling "close to 100 per cent" after surgery last September shortened his worst season as a pro.
Wells had surgery Sept. 25 to remove a cyst and repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The shoulder bothered him most of the season; he hit .245 with 16 homers and 80 RBIs, a significant drop from his 2006 numbers (.303, 32 HRs, 106RBIs).
"I think I am close to 100 per cent," Wells said. "I will find out when we start doing everyday stuff."
Manager John Gibbons liked what he saw with Wells in the batting cage Monday.
"He was nice and loose, he had a nice smooth swing," Gibbons said.
Wells said he expects to feel something in the shoulder for the next year, "but it shouldn't be painful anymore."
Wells said the problem began back on May 30, 2006, at home against Boston, a game in which he hit three home runs.
"I remember when I first felt the pain, when I was on deck," said Wells, "I was swinging the weighted bat and I felt it hurt."
.Wells is a career .281 hitter with 157 home runs. He has been a regular since 2002.
Toronto has its first full squad workout scheduled for Thursday.
DUNEDIN, Fla., -- Toronto Blue Jays centre-fielder Vernon Wells said his left shoulder is feeling "close to 100 per cent" after surgery last September shortened his worst season as a pro.
Wells had surgery Sept. 25 to remove a cyst and repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The shoulder bothered him most of the season; he hit .245 with 16 homers and 80 RBIs, a significant drop from his 2006 numbers (.303, 32 HRs, 106RBIs).
"I think I am close to 100 per cent," Wells said. "I will find out when we start doing everyday stuff."
Manager John Gibbons liked what he saw with Wells in the batting cage Monday.
"He was nice and loose, he had a nice smooth swing," Gibbons said.
Wells said he expects to feel something in the shoulder for the next year, "but it shouldn't be painful anymore."
Wells said the problem began back on May 30, 2006, at home against Boston, a game in which he hit three home runs.
"I remember when I first felt the pain, when I was on deck," said Wells, "I was swinging the weighted bat and I felt it hurt."
.Wells is a career .281 hitter with 157 home runs. He has been a regular since 2002.
Toronto has its first full squad workout scheduled for Thursday.
