Shane Victorino is ready to fight for starting job
by John Aubin | Thu, Feb 19th 8:29pm EST
Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino says he has “never in my life†showed up early for spring training, but that changed Wednesday afternoon, when he walked into Sox camp here a week before the team is scheduled to hold its first full-squad workout. There’s a message attached to his early arrival. Victorino said he is ready to take on 22-year-old Mookie Betts in what he termed a “friendly competition†to be the team’s starting right fielder, a job that was exclusively Victorino’s until hamstring and back injuries led to season-ending back surgery last Aug. 5. Given his age (34) and the seriousness of the surgery -- Dr. Robert Watkins performed a lumbar discectomy to repair a herniated disc in his back, which had led to weakness in his legs -- there have been some questions whether Victorino can mount a successful comeback. Victorino is determined to answer those questions in the affirmative. (ESPN Boston)
Fantasy Impact:
This is the first year that Shane Victorino has felt pressure for his starting job. And he should feel it. Mookie Betts is a serious threat to his job as starting right fielder. It is great that he is coming in healthy and ready to go. But that last few years Victorino has not been able to stay injury free through a whole season. Victorino should be available at the end of fantasy drafts but should be avoided as his best years are behind him.
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