Before the start of the series against his former team, Mike Moustakas spoke to the media. The Cincinnati Reds’ second baseman is not playing because he is currently on the 10-day injured list with a quad injury, prompting an update. He also talked about being one of the team leaders, and what he could do to keep it going while he could not be on the field.
To the injury
‘I feel much better. It ended up as a quad tribe with some bad bruises, I think it was. But yes, you feel a lot better. Could not join the game the next day. Really miss that I had been there with the boys – wanted to get out and play, just could not. Restricted by going to the IL. Just been to work, went here in the morning (GABP), went to Prasco during the day to double my rehab to come back as soon as possible. “
To when and how he was injured and how the injury progressed
‘It was in Detroit. I ended up trying to go midway up for a line drive, one-hopper. My foot kind of got caught in the ground and slipped out from under me. I did not think about it, just kept playing. The next day I got in and it was a little embarrassing, didn’t think much of it and kept playing and a few days later I just couldn’t move my leg anymore. I was pretty non-competitive out there. Especially in a season right now we only have 60 games, we have to be there every pitch to compete and I could not do that, so I came out of the game and tried to make it up again and get back and just could not come back so as soon as I wanted. That we are here now and just working every day to get back to you as soon as possible. ”
Will he just miss the 10 days before he goes back to play?
“Yes, I tried to be ready to play today (Tuesday). Has everything I could and it just would not happen. I was not round yet. I haven’t seen any pitching since I was off the lineup. But yes, I think as soon as these 10 days are over, I will be ready to go. Not looking back, just coming back with the boys is my main goal and going out and helping these guys win some games. ”
After being one of the leaders of the team in the clubhouse, despite the fact that he was not in the organization for very long.
‘It seems to feel good. I think that’s one of the reasons I’ve been brought here – to be one of the leaders of this team. And there’s a bunch of great leaders in that clubhouse. I’m just more outspoken – I talk a lot. I think that’s kind of how it all started, but I think the track record I had in Kansas City and the way we could win, all that stuff, came with me here from Kansas City and Milwaukee, I think that that helped me a lot. It takes the guys in the clubhouse to react to that and accept it as quickly as I was and to be a part of this team and a part of the boys was great. That’s all I wanted to do, and be able to share my experiences and have that World Series that everyone wants and I want to get someone else, to have that and to have that experience in the postseason, I think that’s why everyone is kind of on board with what the plan is these coming months and even move forward the next few years. ”
Participate as a leader when you are out, how do you do it?
“In cases like this, when you’re at the IL, you kind of want to be seen, not heard. Stay away from the boys and go about their business. But once that game starts, we still have jobs to do. I still have something I need to do – my job right now is to get back to you as soon as possible, but I’ll rejoice there. If I see anything on the field – maybe a pitchers have a tip, we can get behind it – I’ll go out and tell them. Such things. Stay involved in the game, stay involved – if anyone has a question for me, I’ll be there to answer, to help. Otherwise, it’s just normal to support the boys at the moment – let them know how great they are and how great it is to see how they play ball.
