Duffy: One day at a time

By MIKE HENRY
mhenry@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- Center fielder Chris Duffy admits to growing frustration at his gradual recovery process from surgery on his left shoulder last August.
Although he acknowledges the possibility of beginning the 2008 season in Bradenton on extended spring training, though, Duffy said he is confident his rehabilitation program is working.
"I really trust the training staff here, and I'm confident in what we're doing," said Duffy, who is unlikely to play in a spring training game any time soon, if at all. "I'm doing everything on my side, working as hard as I can.
"What the doctors tell me is every shoulder is different, and you can't speed up the healing process. I've done everything on my part, so now I have to wait for the human body to take its course and enable me to do the right things so I can get back."
Duffy's situation has opened up the center field job for either Nate McLouth or Nyjer Morgan. When he is ready to return to game action, Duffy is expected to go to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Duffy was given a 6-to-9 month window for full recovery, and it has been less than 7 months since his surgery. But pain and discomfort during his rehabilitation is a downer, even though he's been told it is a normal part of the process.
"I honestly felt I was going to be ready for spring training," said the 27-year-old Vermont native, who stole 26 bases in 27 attempts in 2006 but batted only .249 in 70 games before injuries (he spent time on the disabled list with a sprained left ankle) took their toll.
"I'm trying to take it one day at a time, thinking like today is the day I'm going to feel a lot better. But right now, I wouldn't say I'm knocking on the door to being in the outfield any time soon.
"It's not really a matter of how hard you work -- it's when your shoulder and body can take the pressure of 100 percent throwing," he said.
Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said today the Pirates have not ruled out Duffy playing in spring training, but the important thing is progressing based on Duffy's ability to throw and recover.
"Chris is progressing OK. He's had some irritation in that shoulder that at times has slowed his throwing progression down," Huntington said.
"At this point, there is no definite time frame. He's a little bit behind where we had anticipated and hoped he would be, but we still have time to get him healthy and out to start the season if we don't have any setbacks.
"Whether he starts in Triple-A or extended spring, time will tell."
Duffy said his day-to-day work is based on him telling rehab coordinator Erwin Valencia and head trainer Brad Henderson how he feels, then devising the day's plans with their recommendations.
Currently, he is working on developing more strength by throwing hard at a range of up to 60 feet.
"I've been taking batting practice, and that's about the same," Duffy said. "Really, what is holding me back is being able to throw."

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