St. Louis Cardinals’ Rafael Furcal ‘100 percent’ fit – MLB News
The St. Louis Cardinals’ shortstop Rafael Furcal stated on Sunday, March 4, that he is 100 percent ready to start the season. His statement came after there was some buzz about his fitness as he will start the season late.
The Cardinals will have their first game on Monday, March 5, against the Miami Marlins in the Grapefruit League. While the season formally commences on Monday for the club, Furcal will have his first game on Thursday.
"I'm fine," Furcal said on Sunday. "I'm 100 percent. It's something where I think they want to see the [younger] guys play more and then give me a chance to play."
This appears to be the part of strategy for the St. Louis Cardinals, the current World Series Champions. They do not want to try the experienced lot with quick succession in the Grapefruit League where the team has to play over 20 games.
Also, it is quite pertinent to note, that Furcal has been reduced to disabled list four times since 2010 due to multiple injuries. Such a circumstance does not really favour the St. Louis Cardinals, prompting them to take precautionary measures.
The measures have seen the Cardinals take specialised medical approach for Furcal. The Cardinals have carefully and aggressively pursued this path to avert potential problems as far as his fitness is concerned.
This is something that the manager Mike Matheny makes known himself. Thus the part of the strategy is to keep the player fit and all braced for the bigger challenges ahead.
"He's another guy we're just going slow with," Matheny said. "Once again, [we're] talking about what sets him up best for the season."
Sunday’s intra-squad game did not see Furcal anywhere as the team had decided not to play him. Even though rain eventually swept the field, culminating with the cancellation of the game, Furcal being away underlined the importance the team attaches to his
fitness.
As to how the Cardinals will tread the path once the regular season kicks off is unknown. But it is clear that the Cardinals want Furcal 100 percent fit. It will be exciting to see what impact Furcal will have for the Cardinals once the 2012 Major League
Baseball regular season begins.
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