Naps May Not be Ready Opening Day

Mike Napoli felt "an impingement" in his shoulder for several months after undergoing surgery to clean up his labrum and rotator cuff in November, and the catcher will be held out of rigorous throwing drills for several weeks.

Napoli, who hit .273 with 20 home runs in 78 games last season, admitted there is a chance he might not be ready to catch by the start of the regular season but is encouraged by the fact he hasn't felt discomfort for two weeks.

"I'd love to be able to start the season, but I have to be smart and not rush anything," Napoli said. "I want to get on the field and not have any setbacks. Right now, I need to get the inflammation and the pinch out of my shoulder before I start throwing."

Napoli said the shoulder doesn't bother him when he's hitting. He will participate in some drills and strengthen his shoulder through exercise. He probably will begin throwing in a week or two.

almost 3 years ago G Abbes 8 comments 0 recs |

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so much for hoping he'd be able to stay healthy this year

by ihearhowie2.0 on Feb 15, 2009 2:54 PM PST reply actions

So this opens up an interesting question

If he’s limited to DH’ing for a week or a month or whatever, who would you rather see take that spot: Naps or Rivera?

by rghan on Feb 15, 2009 3:07 PM PST reply actions

Naps, absolutely.

by snowhor on Feb 15, 2009 3:14 PM PST up reply actions

No doubt in my mind

by lackey41 on Feb 15, 2009 9:08 PM PST up reply actions

Are we in for another year of green lights?

"i got 5ive on it"

by Funke5ive on Feb 15, 2009 5:39 PM PST reply actions

FANTASTIC

Why can’t we ever get one of our own organization players to stay healthy?!

by TheAntiSox on Feb 15, 2009 6:48 PM PST reply actions

Can we get Pudge?

Or someone else as a back up? Because I do not wish to see Mathis and his “throw the ball into centerfield” routine much this year.

But the Angels do seem to be allergic to steroid users … so that might rule I-Rod out.

Who else is out there?

by LazorkoRules on Feb 15, 2009 10:37 PM PST reply actions

Well, not that big a blow as i thought

I mean, Mathis was going to catch 30 games anyway, why not make most of them earlier on in the season

That'll only happen if that one prospect is the second coming of Christ and redemption for mankind can only be achieved by smacking many balls out of the yard.
-The Limey

by anaheim angels on Feb 16, 2009 12:10 PM PST reply actions