Red Sox' Ellsbury: "I Feel Really Good"
FORT MYERS, FL (CBS) - An ongoing theme down at Red Sox Spring Training this year has been players putting their 2010 season behind them.
Jacoby Ellsbury is no different.
After playing in just 18 games in 2010 due to broken ribs, Ellsbury is excited to move on.
"I've already put that behind me," the speedy outfielder said. "I can't change last year. I'm definitely excited. Once the offseason hit, I knew I was going to work hard to get where I am now."
Jacoby Ellsbury Talks About Putting 2010 Behind Him
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Ellsbury reported to camp Wednesday, a day before position players had to report, and said he has fully recovered from the injury that plagued him all last season. He was cleared to resume baseball activities earlier this winter, and pledged to be 100-percent by opening day.
He also won't have any reservations when it comes to a head first slide into second base or diving catch in the outfield.
"I'll be able to play with my natural aggressiveness," Ellsbury said confidently. "Just like always. I'm not worried at all. It's not like I'm coming off major surgery or anything like that."
2010 was a season of rehab and controversy for the 27-year-old. He was criticized for taking too much time coming back from the rib injury, and had discrepancies with the Red Sox medical staff over his initial diagnosis. He would not comment on the critical comments, instead repeating that 2010 is in the past.
Why not focus attention on 2011? The Red Sox have a much deeper team than last year, and are poised to return to the postseason.
"It's nice to already have a solid team, everybody coming back, and adding even more weapons to our pitching staff, offense and defense," Ellsbury said of the offseason acquisitions of Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Bobby Jenks."Reading the papers and seeing all the excitement in Boston, it's exciting for us as players to have an opportunity to put a great team on the field."
