Veteran Pitcher Refuses to Give Up on Playoff Hopes Despite Lingering Injury
As the season winds down, a seasoned pitcher is holding onto hope that he’ll be able to take the mound in the postseason. Despite a nagging injury to his left big toe, he’s determined to contribute to his team’s championship push.
“I’m not throwing in the towel just yet,” the pitcher said. “I’m going to keep pushing every day, hoping that one day I’ll wake up and the pain will be gone.”
The injury, a bone spur in his toe, has forced him to alter his pitching mechanics, leading to other issues. “I can only throw at a certain percentage before other parts of my body start to act up,” he explained. “But when my toe finally heals, I’m confident I’ll be back to my old self.”
The team has already clinched a playoff spot, but the pitcher’s return is still uncertain. His manager estimates it’ll be at least a couple of weeks before he’s ready to take the mound again. “And even then, we’ll have to see how he looks in terms of our playoff run,” the manager said. “He still needs to build up his strength, throw a bullpen session, and face live hitters. Right now, he’s just playing catch, so it’s hard to say.”
In the meantime, the team is preparing for the postseason with a four-man rotation, although there’s a possibility that another pitcher could join the mix. The bullpen, however, has taken a hit with the loss of a key reliever due to shoulder inflammation.
The team’s backup catcher recently returned from a fractured toe, but their veteran shortstop is still dealing with a groin injury. He’s hoping to manage the pain through the playoffs, saying, “That’s why I’ve been getting extra rest here and there. We figured out that with the playoff schedule, you’re never going to play more than three games in a row. Hopefully, my ability to stay on top of it, plus the injection, will help.”
The pitcher, too, has been doing everything he can to get back on the mound. He’s tried various methods to keep his arm active, from throwing off flat ground to testing different angles off a pitching rubber. While progress has been slow, he remains optimistic. “I feel like it’s getting better, it’s just not happening as quickly as I had hoped.”
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