Chris Assenheimer
The Chronicle-Telegram
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Grady Sizemore grounded out to second base in the first inning Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark.
Nothing special, only this time it was.
The routine grounder to second was the first official swing of the bat for Sizemore, who made his exhibition debut in the Indians’ 5-3 victory over Arizona.
“It felt good just to get back on the field,” said Sizemore, who is attempting to return from microfracture surgery on his left knee. “I wasn’t really nervous, just anxious to get back out there. It’s been a long time.”
Yes, it has.
The last time Sizemore was on the field was May 16 of last year, three days before going on the disabled list after re-aggravating the knee injury he sustained while sliding into second base during an exhibition game in Los Angeles against the Dodgers on April 1. Surgery followed June 4.
All of it came on the heels of an injury-plagued 2009 season that ended prematurely, thanks to an elbow ailment that bothered him for the majority of the year.
“Injuries are part of baseball,” Sizemore said, when asked about his back-to-back seasons of unfortunate health events. “Right now, I’m on the tail end of a long rehab process. That’s all I’m focusing on right now.”
The exhibition debut was the first game action since Sizemore arrived at camp, the three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove award winner limited to agility drills, running and taking batting practice for the majority of his time in Goodyear.
Serving as the designated hitter, Sizemore batted twice, following up his ground out with a lazy fly ball out to center field.
“I would have liked to have stayed out there and get a couple more at-bats to feel like I was part of the game,” Sizemore said. “It was over a little quicker than I would have liked.
“I felt fine, swinging and running, everything felt fine. It was a good feeling to be out there and to be part of the team again.”
“There’s not much to report, but it was good to see him effortless,” manager Manny Acta said of Sizemore’s debut. “If you didn’t know what he had been through, you wouldn’t have noticed.
“It’s a start.”
Another chapter in Sizemore’s comeback story is expected to come Tuesday, when he is scheduled to play center field for the first time. He said he just began shagging fly balls in the outfield this week.
“That will be the next test, getting out there and playing defense,” Sizemore said.
With a number of family and friends in the crowd for his long-awaited exhibition debut, Sizemore received a rousing ovation when he came to the plate for the first time.
“It was definitely nice,” Sizemore said of the crowd reaction. “The fans have been great. The people out here have been very supportive.”
Sizemore said the majority of well-wishers have been urging him to make it back for real in the center field spot he has occupied in Cleveland since 2005.
That’s going to have to wait awhile.
Sizemore has already been ruled out of the season opener April 1 against the White Sox at Progressive Field, and he is expected to remain at extended spring training for a spell before beginning a minor league rehab assignment.
After consecutive injury-filled seasons, Sizemore is receptive to the cautious plan the Indians and their medical staff has laid out.
“I’m going to be very patient with this,” he said. “I understand the process. It’s not frustrating for me at all.”
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
