He's much better and we still have a lot of time to watch how he progresses. What he has is something that cannot be aggravated by getting out there too soon. It's about tolerating pain, and there's much less today. I'm more encouraged today that he'll be able to play on [Opening Day] Monday. |
He's not that far away. You will see him in a game as a DH sooner than you will see him playing the field. |
He's on pace. There are no surprises. He won't make it to the post that first day [of exhibitions], and I don't know yet exactly when he will. But I have no worries about him getting ready. He'll have plenty of time. |
He's still not 100 percent just yet. His leg would be the limiting factor. The exact day he'll be back I can't tell you. |
He's very, very close. He can play outfield and third and first. He's a person who is going to be prepared when the door opens and be prepared for more positions than just one. |
He, by himself, is credited with being able to keep the fans in the ball park in Dodger Stadium until the ninth inning. |
He, by himself, is credited with being able to keep the fans in the ballpark in Dodger Stadium until the ninth inning. I think the season standings speak for themselves when he's there and when he's not there. He wasn't there last year, and you saw what happened. |
His ball was alive and he had a smile on his face, so that was great. |
His best so far. He had a better look on his face. He rebounded physically well today. We're very pleased with that. He'll work the game Saturday night and that will set him up for Monday. |
I asked myself, if we opened the season with Atlanta and had 3-2 games every day, will this man be ready to do that, pitch in the ninth inning? In my mind, I say yes, he will. I could see him doing that. |
I don't know if he's going to throw anybody out at the plate, but he's throwing well enough to get a couple of at-bats. We certainly hope he'll have another year like (2004). He's coming along great. |
I don't know. You know, in my heart, I know I was. |
I don't see a lot of problems with him being able to play by Monday. |
I don't see anything that can keep us from being very competitive in September. It's a long season, a lot of things are going to happen between now and September, and we've gotta play good more days than we don't. |
I don't think you can just sit there and say yes when you're just talking about one of 30 jobs in the world. I felt like I could. I felt like I'd be ready if the opportunity ever came along again. You can't sit there and say you expect that. |