Cody Ross Resumes Baseball Activites

Aug. 11, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder

(center) is tended to by a team trainer as he reacts in pain after suffering an injury running to first base in the first inning against the New York Mets at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Today the Arizona Diamondbacks and their fans got good news on the progress of outfielder Cody Ross’s recovery from hip injury that ended his 2013 season in early August, continuing a trend of health issues that really defined the Snakes’ season. If this update is true, then it is a good sign for the D’backs. Many people doubted that he would be available at all this season and many predicted he wouldn’t be back until well into next season. While this is good news, there is still a large gap for Ross resuming baseball activities, and being Major League ready. The D’backs tweeted out the news saying “Cody Ross has resumed all baseball activities as the #Dbacks outfielder recovers from a dislocated hip.” Arizona’s season starts earlier than most teams because they are apart of Major League baseball’s opening series against the Dodgers in Sydney, Australia so Ross will likely begin the season on the D.L.  That being said, he should be able to come back sooner rather than later.

Ross was on KTAR’s hot stove show this past Monday and told the guys about the progress of his recovery, “It was a tough, grueling few months, but (rehabilitation) is definitely a lot better and quicker than all of us thought. Now we’re starting to get into the running and I’m doing all baseball activities: hitting, throwing, I’m doing everything… I put the time and the effort in to get back and hopefully be a big part of this team next year.” After several trades during the offseason and the departure of Adam Eaton, the D’backs’ starting outfield consists of Mark Trumbo, A.J. Pollock, and Gerardo Parra. Arizona would certainly  prefer to have Ross on the roster over the likes of Tony Campana.

Once Ross returns, the question everybody will be asking is how will the manager use the lineup with the different outfielder’s the team has. The addition of Trumbo, a right-handed hitter and the departure of a left-handed hitter in Eaton leaves Parra the only southpaw on the roster. Ross gives the D’backs another productive bat that can pinch hit in key situations, something G.M Kevin Towers has been wanting. When the D’backs face left-handed starters Ross could start instead of Parra. We will see how Kirk Gibson decides to use Ross. For now, its just good to hear that he is close to returning.

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