A.J. Pollock: ‘Very fortunate to be where I’m at right now’
Feb 24, 2017, 2:53 PM
Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock, left, hits a solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal watches during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
A.J. Pollock missed most of the 2016 season with an injury, but he seems to be ready to play for 2017.
The 29-year-old center fielder began the season injured after he fractured his right elbow sliding into home during a spring training game. Pollock did play in 12 games for the D-backs, but it was when Arizona was out of the playoff race.
Pollock joined Off The Edge with B-Train on Arizona Sports 98.7 and spoke about his injury and his recovery.
He said he felt better and was ready to start playing again.
“I feel smooth throwing, I feel smooth hitting. I just feel very fortunate to be where I’m at right now,” Pollock said.
As odd as the injury seemed at the time, Pollock thought it was somewhat inevitable.
“Mine was kind of a unique situation. We found out the screw was actually already broken before I slid,” Pollock said. “It was just discomfort, and when we found out the screw was broken I was trying to find ways to deal with it.”
With Pollock out of the lineup most of the year, the D-backs sputtered to a 69-93 record.
Arizona had other issues last year, mostly relating to poor pitching, but the lack of Pollock’s offensive and defensive presence certainly did not help.
Pollock had a career year in 2015, resulting in an All-Star selection. He batted .315 with 20 home runs and 76 RBI while stealing 39 bases. Moreover, he anchored center field for the D-backs and won a 2015 Gold Glove Award.
Missing time was tough for Pollock, but the experience gave him a new perspective on life.
“You have a lot of people, you know they’re really amazing. But gosh, those trainers, my wife, my family, they all were there for me. It gets you a little more sense of pride.”
