Red Sox Gonzalez Feeling Good After First BP Session
FORT MYERS, Fla (CBS) - New Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez continues to make strides towards taking the field with his new team for the first time.
After weeks of hitting off a tee, then flips, then in the batting cages, Gonzalez took live batting practice for the first time on Sunday. So far so good with the Red Sox slugger.
"It felt good, it's a step toward being ready for opening day," Gonzalez told WBZ's NewsRadio 1030's Jonny Miller. "I felt good. My swing felt good and I feel good this morning. It's a good sign."
Adrian Gonzalez Talks Batting Practice With WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Jonny Miller
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Acquired by the Red Sox in the offseason, Gonzalez underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. Although he started spring training behind everyone else, Gonzalez has no doubt he will be ready for opening day on April 1st in Texas.
Manager Terry Francona said last week he believed Gonzalez is ahead of schedule when it comes to a return, but the first baseman is taking a more casual approach towards his progress.
"I haven't beaten any deadline because we didn't have a deadline," Gonzalez said. "It's kind of hard to say I'm ahead of schedule, I just know I'm on schedule."
Gonzalez, who hit 31 home runs and drove in 101 for the Padres during 2010 despite battling the shoulder injury, has had no problems progressing throughout the spring.
"No hesitation, I've been going 100-percent the whole time. It's something you just move from the cage to the field. No sense of awkwardness or hesitation at all."
Gonzalez would not put a date on his return to game action, but it can be expected he will be on the lineup card for the first time sooner rather than later.
