With Marlins on road, Dee Gordon missing teammates while he rehabs
Less than 24 hours before the All-Star break, Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon dislocated his left thumb sliding head first into first base for an infield hit.
Gordon, voted in by the fans as the National League starting second baseman for the first time in his career, couldn't participate in the festivities but still attended to represent the organization. It's the second time in his career he injured a thumb. As a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, he missed two months during the 2012 season following surgery on his right thumb after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament on a slide into third.
With his ballclub in the midst of a 10-game roadtrip, Gordon is rehabbing in South Florida. But he's keeping up with his teammates by talking over the phone and watching games on TV.
Below are social media posts he wrote during Monday's 3-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In his own words, Gordon described what it's like to watch the Marlins from afar as he heals:
I've been waking up at the same time. I'm still in the routine and I can't really sleep past 10. I wake up and go to rehab and then have the rest of the day.
Rehabbing is really not that similar (to the first time) because I can move this one more. The other I had to start from square one. This is a little better now with this one. I get it massaged to get the inflammation out. It sucks. I scrunch up my face and that's about it with the pain. I go with (physical therapist) Ron (Yacoub) and get it done.
I was on FaceTime with (Christian) Yelich, (Dan) Haren and (Jeff) Mathis the other night. See how they're doing because I'm not there. (Justin) Bour actually texted me the other day and told me he was going to get In-N-Out burger for me. He's going to eat one for me. Yeli is like, 'Dude, you need to come back.'
It's weird. It's 2 o'clock and I usually get jitters because it's the time I usually start my day at the field. I don't have to be playing and stuff. It's weird not wearing the uniform, but I definitely can't say I'm getting used to it because I don't want to get used to it. It's weird. It's part of it, though.
People don't stop me when they see me. They just let me go about my way. I just go to rehab and watch the game. That's it. And eat. Someone shouted 'Feel better!' at the red carpet parade at the All-Star Game. It sucks because I wish I wasn't hurt, but it's part of it. I appreciate their concern and want to get better.
It feels weird watching games because I can't help my team. I wish I was helping them. I wish I was there. I don't really like listening to the sound of the play-by-play stuff. I just like to watch it. I just watch and try to support the guys. It sucks.
It's not like how it was before (with my right thumb). It's different because with the Dodgers we were able to travel even if we were hurt. This is different. Get me healthy. Me away is actually good. I can get that treatment every day.
I've just been chilling at home. I'm just staying focused, getting ready to play so when I do go back to play I fall right back into the same routine. I'm feeling better. I can't tell you (the timeframe).
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
