While the Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber maintains his desire to catch, Giants All-Star catcher Buster Posey offered a cautionary tale about returning to the position after suffering a serious leg injury.
"I always told people it took me a solid two years before I felt back to some sense of normalcy," Posey said last month in Los Angeles, where he filmed a series of commercials with Schwarber.
"For the year or two after my ankle injury, there was maintenance after every game and spring training workout, whatever it may be. I’m feeling pretty good (now) and can back off it a little bit."
Schwarber is targeted to play left field for the Cubs but continues to push his case to catch despite missing nearly all of last season because of two torn ligaments in his left knee. In late May of 2011, Posey suffered a fracture and torn ligaments in his left ankle that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Posey said he benefited from a maintenance program that trainer Dave Groeschner established and that helped allow him to catch 114 games in 2012 while receiving an occasional break at first base. He won National League Most Valuable Player honors that year and led the Giants to a World Series title.
"We had two different injuries, but it’s important to build up strength," Posey said. "But if my ankle felt cranky, moving over to first base helped."
Willson Contreras is expected to handle most of the catching duties for the Cubs.
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