The three-time all-star didn’t cross his fingers, knock on wood or speak in hushed tones about his first week of the season, one that didn’t include an injury. So Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro responded to the good health by lining balls all over the field. Which is what he has done in the past. When healthy, that is.
He spoke about being healthy; how tough it was to be hurt the past two years; how he felt like his old self.
Everything was good.
Until this arose a day later: Vidro left that night’s game against Florida because of a tight hamstring. Then he missed the next two games, relegated to pinch-hitting duty.
Uh-oh.
But the Nationals and Vidro say there’s no reason to worry. It wasn’t the right knee, which has bothered him off and on since 2003. Nor was it the ankle sprain that left him sidelined for two months last year.
“Don’t be alarmed,” Vidro said Friday night, “this is nothing major.”
That’s what the Nationals hope. They know he’s playing like the Vidro of 2002, the last year he played injury-free. Then, he batted .315 with 19 homers and 96 RBI.
This season, Vidro is batting .348 with three homers and 11 RBI. His biggest shot was saved for spacious RFK Stadium, which he does not regret.
Some players might have appreciated Vidro criticizing the park’s dimensions. What they really like is his performance on the field.
“That’s the old Jose,” said Nationals catcher Brian Schneider, who played with Vidro in Montreal. “He’s able to cover more ground [defensively] and offensively he sprays the ball all over the field and hits with power. We need him.”
Vidro showed up to spring training 10 pounds lighter than in 2005 after an offseason devoted largely to legwork. He’s missed 127 games the past two years combined.
“Staying healthy is the most important thing for me,” he said. “The last two years have not been fun for me. I have to make sure I find a way to stay in the lineup every day. It was hard for me seeing the ballclub winning games; I finally had a chance to be part of a winning club and I wasn’t able to be out there. It was very painful. Every player goes through injuries. I guess it was my time. It’s all in the past.”
He hopes.
