Angels’ Brandon Drury has no regrets about trying to play through hamstring issue
Drury played through a hamstring issue before he aggravated it to the point that he had to go on the injured list. He was in a slump while playing through the injury, but he refused to use that as an excuse for his performance.
ANAHEIM — Brandon Drury acknowledges that one of his strengths might also be a weakness.
A day after the Angels placed Drury on the injured list with a strained hamstring, the infielder said he’d been playing through some discomfort for a while before aggravating it beyond the point that he could continue.
Drury did the same thing last summer, when he hurt his shoulder.
When asked if he regretted pushing himself so hard, perhaps to the detriment of his performance, rather that allowing the injuries to heal, he said it’s just part of who he is.
“If I didn’t hurt it worse, I’d still be playing,” Drury said. “But I did hurt it worse. So now it’s easy to look back and say that (he shouldn’t have pushed himself). But I always feel like if I’m able to go out there, I’m good to play. It’s a good mindset because that’s why I’m here right now, with the career that I’ve had, where nothing’s been given to me. But at the same time, I feel like there’s times to be a little bit smarter as far as playing when something’s going on.”
Drury, 31, first had issues with his hamstring about four weeks ago. He took days off here and there, but didn’t go on the injured list. He also dealt with a neck injury that cost him a few days. Amid all that, Drury started the season with a .173 average and a .470 OPS.
When he was asked how much the injury affected his performance, he didn’t take the bait.
“I’m not going to make any excuses to that,” Drury said. “I’m out there playing. It’s a tough start, and that’s sometimes the way the game goes.”
Manager Ron Washington said he had told Drury that he didn’t have to play if he wasn’t physically able, but Drury assured him that he was up until this week.
“The guy’s a gamer,” Washington said. “The thing is, if you’re gonna play and you know you’re hurt, there’s no excuses.”
Drury said he doesn’t know how long he’ll be out.
“Depends how it heals up,” Drury said. “Gotta give it time right now to heal.”
MORE MOVES
The Angels activated infielder Niko Goodrum, who they had claimed on waivers on Thursday. Goodrum is a utility infielder. A day earlier the Angels had added utility man Luis Guillorme, who they had picked up in a trade with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.
“We’re flying around and working the wires and seeing what’s out there, and this is who we came up with,” Washington said.
The Angels put Drury and Luis Rengifo (virus) on the injured list on Thursday, and they put Ehire Adrianza on the injured list on Friday with back spasms. They also recalled infielder Kyren Paris.
Washington said one of the reasons they called up Paris was because he was already on the 40-man roster, and they had already been forced to make numerous moves to clear spots for all the other players they added recently.
As for when they’ll get some of these players back, the quickest could be Rengifo.
“I hope it’s just the 10 days,” Washington said.
Infielder Miguel Sanó, who is out with knee inflammation, is currently eligible to be activated. He took some ground balls and took batting practice on Friday.
“He’s got to go slow,” Washington said. “We’ll see how each day he progresses. That’s a big … body.”
NOTES
Right-hander Chase Silseth (elbow inflammation) continues throwing without issue. He said he’s hoping he can get on a mound sometime next week. Silseth will need at least three rehab games before he’s ready to return to the major league rotation. He’s on the 60-day injured list, so he’s not eligible for another four weeks. …
The Angels say the issue many fans experienced getting into the ballpark on Thursday was because the team relocated one of the metal detectors to a different gate. So many fans were trying to get into the home plate gate, that had just one metal detector, and it caused a long line. Before Friday’s game, the metal detectors were moved back to where they had been, with two at the home plate gate.
UP NEXT
Royals (LHP Cole Ragans, 2-2, 3.38 ERA) at Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson, 2-4, 2.74 ERA), Saturday, 6:38 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM