Scott Sizemore: Not The Only One Looking To Make A Comeback

Mar 16, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman

(center) scores on a sacrifice fly during the third inning as Chicago White Sox catcher

(left) waits for the throw at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

When the New York Yankees lost both Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez, it left two massive holes in the infield for general manager Brian Cashman to fill. Rather than going out and overspending on players such as Johnny Peralta, Cash is taking a 2013ish approach to filling his roster, with low-risk/high-reward players such as infielder Scott Sizemore. Sizemore has had two horrific injuries to his left knee in each of the past two seasons. He can play both second base and third base, and if he can come all the way back, could prove to be a valuable asset to the Yankees in 2014.

The 29-year-old is only a career .238 hitter, but is an on-base machine when healthy, posting OPS+ years of 114 and 105 respectively. He has a little bit of pop in his bat, having a season of 11 home runs, and knocking in over 50. He does strikeout a ton, with a 112 and a 93 strikeout season in the books. Sizemore has been in Tampa for the past few weeks, getting an early start on his spring training, and working out alongside another player attempting to make a comeback from a serious leg injury in Yankees’ captain Derek Jeter.

Sizemore shared some of his thoughts recently with members of the media:

"I’m feeling pretty good, getting back on the field feels great and I haven’t had any issues with the knee…It hasn’t been a good two years…It was devastating really. After going through it the first time and feeling like I was ready to go, healthy, I felt like I was back on my way but obviously, two serious knee injuries, doubts crept into my mind if I was ever going to be able to play again. Nothing’s given."

If Sizemore needs any motivation to continue working towards earning a spot as a non-roster invitee, he need look no further than to how Jeter has handled his business this spring. Sizemore commented:

"He’s been welcoming. He looks like Jeter, smooth, going about his business like he always does."

Scott Sizemore if healthy, could platoon at both third base and second, and could provide manager Joe Girardi a valuable right-handed compliment to Kelly Johnson at both postions. Sizemore knows the feeling of October baseball as well, having gone to the playoffs with both the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics in his previous Major League stops.

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