For the first time since his March 9th surgery on his torn sheath around his wrist tendon, Philadelphia Phillies' outfielder Aaron Altherr spoke to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki about his outlook on an injury that initial estimates say will keep him out for four to six months.
Among the notables in Zolecki's interview, Altherr said that he hopes to return during the 2016 season.
"Oh, definitely," he said. "No doubt. I definitely can see myself being back sometime before the season's over. Definitely I have that goal in mind to get back before then."
Altherr had his injury on March 9th, so a four month timetable would allow him to return in early July, while a sixth month timetable would allow him to return for the final few weeks of the season. Of course, rarely does injury rehab — especially one that could have a dramatic long-term impact on a hitter, go exactly according to planned.
Mark Teixera of the New York Yankees, who had the same surgery in 2013, told Matt Gelb of Philly.com that it took him 18 months after his surgery for him not to feel pain. In the same piece, Teixera scoffed at the idea of Altherr being healthy enough to be productive later this season.
None of this is to say that Altherr couldn't return this season or that it's a bad goal for him to have shortly after the surgery, but it seems less than likely that on a bad team, Altherr will roam the outfield at Citizens Bank Park in 2016.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is the Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com, focusing on news and features.
