News
Cabrera feels good in first rehab game
Rookie shortstop working way back from broken left hand
By Amy Brittain / MLB.com
06/02/09 9:35 PM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Padres rookie shortstop Everth Cabrera said he had no problems and no pain Tuesday at PETCO Park during the first game of his rehabilitation stint with the team's Class A affiliate, the Lake Elsinore Storm.The Padres placed Cabrera on the 60-day disabled list April 20 after he fractured the hamate bone of his left hand April 19 in a loss to the Phillies.
Cabrera played five innings and went 2-for-3 in the Storm's 7-2 victory over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Angels' Class A affiliate. The game was the opener of a Storms/Padres doubleheader before the Padres faced the Phillies.
Cabrera, a 22-year-old Rule 5 Draft pick, said he hasn't felt any pain in his hand since Saturday.
"It was very good that I could play here on the big league field," Cabrera said through a translator. "I felt very happy and ready to go."
Padres manager Bud Black said he anticipates Cabrera will play about five innings Wednesday, rest Thursday on the team's off-day and play an entire game Friday.
Black said he thinks Cabrera will need 16-17 rehab games.
"At some point, we'll get him to Triple-A [Portland]," Black said.
Cabrera said he has tried to soak up as much off-the-field knowledge as possible during his rehabilitation process.
"I've had the opportunity to ask a lot of questions on the bench while watching the game," he said. "I've learned more than I ever thought I could learn. You can see mistakes and learn from those mistakes that others make."
Cabrera has been watching shortstops Chris Burke and Josh Wilson, whom San Diego acquired after they lost both Cabrera and shortstop Luis Rodriguez to injuries. The club placed Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained ankle suffered in the team's loss to the Cubs on May 13.
Before his injury, Cabrera hit .308 in 13 at-bats over six games.
Amy Brittain is an associate reporter with MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
