FORT MYERS, Fla. – Nomar Garciaparra's injured right wrist
is making progress, but the two-time defending American League
batting champion still does not know when he will be able to play
again.
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| Garciaparra |
The shortstop's cast was removed and the wrist examined Monday
by team physician Dr. Bill Morgan.
Swelling had decreased, although the wrist was stiff,
Garciaparra said. He had a new cast put on, and the wrist will be
re-examined in a week.
"I was encouraged," he said. "Right now we are going in the
right direction," but there is no target date for him to get back
to work.
He is still hoping to avoid an operation.
"Surgery is always the last resort, and even after surgery
there is no guarantee," he said. "We've got to go through this
process before going on to any other process."
Garciaparra repeatedly has said he is frustrated watching his
teammates play, but resting the wrist is the correct course of
action right now, according to Morgan.
"The area is still tender, but improved," Morgan said. "We'll
continue with the current course of treatment, which includes
casting, medication, and his aerobic workouts."
Garciaparra has a split tendon in the wrist that has lingered
since Sept. 25, 1999, when he was hit by a pitch from Baltimore's
Al Reyes.
He is experiencing some discomfort in the wrist, but no pain.
"I can probably hit people with it and it would hurt them more
than it would hurt me," he said.
Lou Merloni, Mike Lansing and Craig Grebeck have been playing
shortstop in Garciaparra's absence.
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