Slugger Mike Napoli has undergone a procedure to repair his anterior cruciate ligament, per Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (via Twitter). That has been anticipated since he was diagnosed with a torn ACL and meniscus last month.
The injury occurred while Napoli was playing for the Indians’ Triple-A affiliate, which he joined after failing to find an MLB opportunity all spring. Napoli’s anticipated recovery time has been pegged at ten to fourteen months, which is not an insubstantial span for a 36-year-old player.
All things considered, it wouldn’t be surprising if Napoli decided that this was an opportune moment to hang up his spikes. But he’s not ready to declare his intentions just yet, per Cafardo, who reports that Napoli hasn’t yet decided whether he’ll attempt a comeback next season.
It’s certainly understandable that the dozen-year MLB veteran prefers to take his time making a decision. After all, he has driven 63 balls out of the yard over the past two seasons and still rates as a quality defender at first.
To be sure, that output has come with loads of strikeouts and, in 2017, an unsatisfactory .285 on-base percentage. And it’s only fair to note Napoli had managed only one hit (albeit with seven walks) in his 31 Triple-A plate appearances to open the present season, though of course that’s not much of a sample.
Still, it wouldn’t have been at all surprising had he ended up turning in some useful plate appearances in the majors had it not been for the injury. And it’s still plausible, perhaps, that he could do so in the future, should he decide to make another go of it.
the party’s over, boys
🙁
Seeing that name just made me remember game 7 we will always party at Napolis no matter where he is. He is great for the clubhouse, fans, and even more for the young guys. Napoli will become a great coach one day and I hooe if its not Alomat he is the successor for when Franconia leaves which hopfully will never come.
By Mike.
Sorry Mike, but unless you’re looking at the dream of a comeback via independent ball then your playing days are over. Time for you to ask: coach, front office, scout, or broadcasting.
Personally I think he’d be a decent minor league coach.
I see him ultimately becoming a special advisor for the Indians. That way he can stay involved with the MLB team and utilize his leadership skills with younger players
Wow, all this talk about Napoli and his leadership skills with younger players???
Last time I looked, the Indians had 1 guy under 25 on what seems to be a veteran laden team….and the guy is Lindor!
Don’t think Napoli is telling that dude anything.
1 season in Cleveland and he is a myth!!!!
Guess the folks out in Anaheim missed something when they let this guy get away….but then again, their manager is one of the best catchers that played the modern game so what did he know!
Don’t “the best players” usually make it to the HOF? Scoisia is the most overrated manager in recent memory and Napoli went to the World Series with 3 different teams. Guess that’s just a coincidence
I believe I read that the Indians had already offered him that position or something like it before the injury if he could not find a job and decided to retire.
It’s sad how everyone is saying he should coach or planning his life… shouldn’t he take his money and start a family? He’s not married and has no kids …. transitioning to the normal world is very hard for these fellas
Shouldn’t this go in the Indians feed?