Sizemore at right stage of rehab process
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians have made it clear that Grady Sizemore is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, but that does not mean the center fielder is behind schedule in his recovery from left knee surgery.
Sizemore is precisely where Cleveland expected he would be at this stage.
Soloff met with reporters at the Indians' complex on Wednesday morning to discuss, among other topics, Sizemore's rehab from microfracture surgery on his knee. If Sizemore progresses as the Tribe hopes he will, the center fielder could begin playing in games by the second or third week of March.
Before Sizemore can gain clearance for that step, he must first continue to pass a number of tests within his rehab progression. Sizemore has been taking part in batting practice, as well as throwing, sprinting and agility drills. Later this week, more advanced agility exercises will be introduced to Sizemore's program.
Soloff emphasized that Sizemore's rehab timetable is hardly set in stone.
"The ambiguity of linear progression here is so great," Soloff said, "that it really is day to day, week to week."
Sizemore, who had the microfracture surgery performed by Dr. Richard Steadman in June, will introduce "position specific" agility work this week. That will include lateral movements and other drills that simulate techniques required for center field. Next week, Soloff hopes to increase the intensity of the sprinting and agility drills.
Barring any setbacks, Sizemore would then begin a "baserunning progression" as part of his program. Following that step, Indians would either plan to have Sizemore begin playing in Minor League games or Cactus League games the following week. That would leave little time to have the necessary at-bats to prepare for Opening Day.
"We may be selling the process short," Soloff said, "or selling Grady short if our focus was Opening Day and not just progressing him through the process at a reasonable clip."
Prior to being cleared for game activity, Soloff indicated that Sizemore might head to Vail, Colo., to meet with Steadman for a final examination. Sizemore made a handful of trips to Colorado to consult with Steadman throughout this past offseason, but did his rehab work at the club's complex in Arizona.
