Marlins' Gonzalez hopes injury, slump are in his past.
www.gopbi.com By Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Thursday, February 27, 2003
JUPITER -- When the University of Miami's Adam Ricks grounded out in the first inning, it might have been the most exciting play for the Marlins in their 5-1 victory Wednesday.
It might have been the only play that shortstop Alex Gonzalez made in his two innings, but it was his first action with the Marlins since May 18, when he dislocated his shoulder while trying stop a Barry Bonds base hit.
"He looked like he hardly touched the ball,'' manager Jeff Torborg said of Gonzalez's smooth play Wednesday.
At least for now, Gonzalez won't be making any diving plays. The Marlins don't want him to take any chances.
"I feel like 97 percent, not 100,'' Gonzalez said. "I don't have any pain in my shoulder. I worked hard in the off-season. I've come back to spring training and will look to play the whole season healthy."
After missing most of last season, Gonzalez, 26, is on pace to be the Marlins' opening-day starter. But his comeback is about more than an injury.
The native of Venezuela has been trying to rebound from a slump that started after he appeared in the 1999 All-Star Game -- he has hit.233 since.
While he struggled offensively, he also committed 75 errors from 1999-2001 -- including 26 in 2001, a major-league high for shortstops. But he made only three last year in 199 chances before he went on the disabled list.
"In the six weeks he was playing, Alex was the best-fielding shortstop in the National League," Marlins infield coach Perry Hill said.
Gonzalez had surgery July 23 after a failed rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League team. The Marlins hoped he could return after he went on the disabled list in May, but it was too painful for him to swing a bat.
"He's worked his tail off,'' Torborg said. "He tried to do it without surgery, but couldn't get it done. He had to start over."
Gonzalez is expected to bat eighth. He hit.225 (34-for-151), with two home runs and 18 RBI last season.
"He doesn't mess around on how he plays defense," Torborg said. "The other part will take time."