DENVER — Colorado Rockies catcher Tony Wolters took batting practice today, an important step in returning from the concussion he suffered last week against the Padres.
“I feel good,” Wolters said. “I feel like a baseball player, doing things, not sitting around.”
Wolters suffered the concussion on May 2 when he was hit in the head by the follow through of Padres hitter Hector Sanchez. It was his second concussion in two years. Prior to his injury, Wolters was hitting .346/.393/.442 in 17 games.
Though he is eligible to come off the 7-day concussion DL today, but is not quite ready to do so. He did say that he is symptom-free.
“There’s no symptoms, I feel good, like a normal human being. I’m ready to get out there,” Wolters said.
Rockies manager Bud Black said he is unsure whether Wolters would go on a minor league rehab assignment, and that would be determined after the two talked today. As for Wolters, he made his feelings on a rehab assignment clear.
“I would like not to,” Wolters said. “But if I have to, then I have to. I just want to get back playing ball.”
Even as he is itching to get back on the field, Wolters said he has kept the long-term implications of head injuries in mind as he works his way back.
“This is more than baseball,” Wolters said. “I want a life after baseball too, so it’s important to take my time and get my head right.”