One of the more surprising bright spots of the 2016 season was Mets shortstop, Asdrubal Cabrera. Although injuries plagued him throughout the season, Cabrera delivered in many key spots for the Metropolitans this past season.
Cabrera, 31, was plagued with a balky left knee as he suffered from a strained patellar tendon that cost him some playing time down the stretch of the grueling 162-game season. He spoke with Christian Red of the NY Daily News on Thursday and advised he is healthy and ready to go.
“I did rest for two and half months and started working out in late December,” Cabrera said. “I played winter ball to test the knee. I’m trying to get ready now for the season. My knee feels really good.”
There was some early controversy with him partaking in Winter Ball early on without the team’s consent. The Mets though would eventually give him permission as he looked to prepare for the Winter Baseball Classic and the upcoming Major League season.
Asdrubal is coming off a wonderful 2016 season that saw him hit to a .280/.336/.474 batting line to go along with 23 homers and 62 RBI. He was also a steady fielder at shortstop, providing better defense than expected by many.
If Cabrera can continue to produce the way he had this past season, the Mets offense has the ability to be quite potent. Health though continues to be the key for this Mets team, as Cabrera notes himself.
“I think the key is stay healthy. I’m 100% sure we’re going to have a good year and win the division if we are healthy,” Cabrera said. “This game is so tough, so hard. I don’t think I’ve played on a team that had so many injuries like last year.”
