Long Recovery for Dodgers' Matt Kemp After Shoulder Surgery
The Dodgers' outfielder says he should be ready for Spring Training
Getty Images
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 28: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up on deck during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 28, 2011.
Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp had his sights on 50 stolen bases and 50 home runs entering the 2012 season. Now, he's just focused on getting healthy as he recovers from a shoulder injury sustained Aug. 27 when he slammed into an outfield fence at Coors Field.
"It was worse than they thought," Kemp said of his doctors' reaction to the Oct. 5 surgery. "When I hurt it, I asked the doctors if I could damage it more by playing with it and they said no, so I kept playing, and when they got in there they were surprised that I could play with it."
The comments Wednesday were the 28-year-old All-Star's first to the media since the surgery. Doctors repaired a torn labrum and performed minor debridement of the rotator cuff.
Kemp has been working on a treadmill and stationary bike, but he was in Arizona Wednesday to step up his rehabilitation.
Kemp tweeted Tuesday: "LA it was good seeing u! Time for this shoulder rehab and running program. Already thinkin about next season! Grind time begins! AZ bound!"
Doctors told him he should be ready for Spring Training, Kemp said.
The Dodgers were two games out of first place in the National League West when Kemp was injured. They finished nine games back to the World Series-bound San Francisco Giants.
Dramatic Photos: Oklahoma Tornado Strike
