Another update on Beltre's ball...

Adrian Beltre was back in the Mariners clubhouse yesterday and seemed in good spirits.

For those of you who don't know what happened to Beltre, read Adrian Beltre goes on DL after being hit in the balls (but there's more...) and An update on Beltre's ball... (but I suggest not on a full stomach.)

Beltre - "It's better than it was before, but there's still pain. I haven't moved to see how it's going to be. Maybe today or tomorrow is going to be a good test to see how it's going to be in the next couple of days."

Sitting in Beltre's locker was a brand new cup still in the wrapper. Beltre admitted he didn't know who put it in there, but that he was probably going to have to use it.

Since Beltre hadn't talked with the media since that fateful night, he kind of relived it.

Beltre - "I thought, it exploded!" It was weird, because it hit right on it, right on top of it. I felt like going down, but I saw the ball right next to me, and I wanted to finish the play. Then I made a wild throw. It was on target, but low."

After that, Beltre didn't lay down, he kind of walked around to shake it off. A lesser man would have curled up in the fetal position in pain.

Beltre - "There were camera's around. You can't lie down on the ground."

Not only didn't he lie down on the ground, he also kept playing for the next five innings.

Beltre - "I didn't have any option. I couldn't because Jack (Hannahan) was hurt. He hurt hamstring, so we didn't have an extra infielder. Two or three innings after that, I dove in first, and it really hurt. That's when I started thinking ... but even if I wanted to, we didn't have an extra infielder. Jack was out in the fifth inning. At times it hurt a lot, but other times, it didn't hurt that much because of the adrenalin of the game." It was a close game, nothing-nothing, and we're just trying to get the game over. When I was running, it didn't really feel that bad."

Apparently Ken Griffey Jr. has now given him the nick name of “nutcracker.” Not exactly a nick name you want to have……. - Mike Gross

Michael Gross, in conjunction with a prominent sports agency runs a strength, conditioning and agility program that many agents send their “to-be-drafted” athletes, prior to being drafted. Many pro athletes have also used the facilities for rehabilitation after injury. Over 90 professional athletes including current MLB ball players have attended his institution during the past 3 years.

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