Dellucci Looking to Rebound After Injury-Filled 2007
I heard an interview earlier today with Indians OF David Dellucci, and he seems to think that this season he will be back 100 percent, ready to go and ready to play as much as the Indians need him. He explained the injury that basically ruined most of last season took place when he was trying to beat out a ball to first, and the tendon in the back of his knee where the hamstring and knee connect popped. The doctors said it was so bad, that they rather remove it than rather try to repair it. Ouch!
Needless to say that the Tribe is hoping to see a healthy and better Dellucci in 2008. He’s being counted on to be a steady force in the outfield, but one concern is that last season he was not off to the greatest of starts, as he hit just .230 with 4 homers and 20 RBI in 56 games before getting hurt. He only had a slugging percentage of .382.
I am sure that the Indians would be more than happy to see his 2006 numbers with the Phillies - .292 with 13 homers and 39 RBI, or even better, his 2005 numbers - .251 with 29 homers with 65 RBI with the Rangers. Right now the plan is for Dellucci to get playing time with Jason Michaels, and basically I guess to let Eric Wedge decide day in and day out which one is going to play. We’ll see if he can turn the negative and season he had last season into a positive in 2008.
Matt has covered Major League Baseball and the "other two" Pro teams in Cleveland since 1994. He has been on the beat of the Indians in full-time mode since 1996, working for various raido and print networks around the country.
