A little less effort might mean a lot more Rocco

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Published February 21, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Joe Maddon had plenty to see during the Rays' first full-squad workout Wednesday. There was a new shortstop, Jason Bartlett. A converted second baseman, Akinori Iwamura. A future third baseman, Evan Longoria.

But it was an outfielder who starred what seems like years ago, Rocco Baldelli, who caused Maddon to stop, watch and wonder.

"His batting practice was ridiculous on the good side," Maddon said. "Incredible power. He's one of those guys who is an impact player. When you see him out there doing those things, my God, we've got to get him out there as often as we can."

And that, of course, is the question.

Due to assorted injuries, Baldelli has missed 359 of the Rays' past 486 games, including the final 127 last season with lingering, and somewhat undefined, hamstring problems.

The Rays are making big plans for his return, hoping he can play rightfield (more often) and DH (on occasion), but acknowledge his status is one of their largest questions. As well as one of the biggest keys to their potential success.

After his first workout with the team since the May 15 game in which he was hurt - "It's been a while," he said - Baldelli, 26, was optimistic about returning, introspective about being idle for so long and candid about what is now his biggest challenge: forcing himself to play the game at less than full speed in order to keep playing.

"It's tough," Baldelli said. "I've pretty much always tried to play hard in my career in every aspect of the game, so it's an adjustment to not do that every single time you take the field. But it's something I'm going to do this year. I'm going to take it easy sometimes."

For now, that means skipping, or cutting back, on spring running drills and not working out to the point of fatigue. In exhibitions, not running hard on popups or ground balls, or getting too acrobatic in the field, and taking a generous number of days off. But when the games count, the temptation to go full speed will mount.

Despite months of extensive medical tests, Baldelli said there is no simple explanation for his continued injury issues, includingknee and elbow surgeries and multiple hamstring problem.

"A lot of the results varied in different ways, so one diagnosis is impossible," Baldelli said, then joked later: "I think you can call me a healthy 26-year-old male if you want."

He swears he doesn't worry about getting hurt again and is just focused more on finding the right balance to stay active.

"Whatever it is that the problem is, I think I can work with it just by taking it easy," he said. "Usually it's the more work you put in, the better shape you get it; maybe the less I do, the better shape I'll be in.

"Less is more. Nice headline, huh?"

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.

[Last modified February 20, 2008, 22:14:59]