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View Full Version : Nixon hopes to test injured back Tuesday


Baseball Guru
03-15-2004, 09:51 AM
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-redsox-nixon&prov=ap&type=lgns

By HOWARD ULMAN, AP Sports Writer
March 14, 2004
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- Boston Red Sox outfielder Trot Nixon hopes to start working out again Tuesday in his comeback from a back injury.

He's still not sure he'll be ready for the regular-season opener at Baltimore on April 4.

``I hope I'm in right field. I can't guarantee anything,'' Nixon said before the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Sunday.


Nixon, who hasn't played in a spring training game, received an epidural injection last week for pain caused by a disc pressing on a nerve. He said his condition has improved but stiffness remains.

The injury ``might never come back,'' Nixon said. ``It might come back in a week. It can come back in the middle of the year. But that procedure that I had, it can be done again.''

Nixon said he hopes to swing a bat Tuesday, perhaps hitting off a tee.

``If everything goes well on Tuesday and possibly Wednesday, hopefully I can see some action,'' he said, although the medical staff will have a say. ``That's probably a lot faster than they want.''

Manager Terry Francona is being cautious.

``The worst thing we can do is see the season approaching and just rush him to do something and his body's not ready,'' Francona said.