PADRES: Gerut an intriguing option in Padres' outfield competition
By DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | ∞
PEORIA, Ariz. ---- Jody Gerut wasted little time Wednesday afternoon in his first action against major leaguers in two-plus years.
The Padres' nonroster invitee ---- a left-handed hitter ---- ripped an RBI double into right field off lefty Wilfredo Ledezma in his first at-bat. He then walked on five pitches before calling it a day.
And even if it was only an intrasquad game, and the stats were thrown out the window, it meant much more to Gerut, who hasn't played in the big leagues since Aug. 10, 2005. After spending time rehabbing a surgically repaired knee, and backed by a strong winter ball season, the 30-year-old thinks he's ready for a return to the majors.
"A major-league field is always where you want to be," Gerut said. "No matter how small or big the stakes are, the first of anything is always real exciting. It's intrasquad. It means nothing ... but it's exciting to play again."
Gerut's enthusiasm is easily understood considering the several tormenting years of rehab in Sarasota, Fla. after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament on Sept. 17, 2004.
Perhaps not trying to get passed over in Cleveland's plans, Gerut ---- who was fourth in the 2003 American League rookie of the year voting when he hit 22 home runs with 75 RBIs ---- admits he rushed to get back on the field in time for the 2005 campaign.
And though he hit .275 for the Indians, they dealt him to the Chicago Cubs after 44 games. The Cubs in turn dealt Gerut to Pittsburgh 13 days later on July 31. On Aug. 10, Gerut made his final appearance in a Pirates uniform.
He wasn't sure if it was his last game, but he was going to do everything in his power to make sure he didn't quit until it was time ---- not that he didn't have his doubts.
"You just have to be persistent," Gerut said. "You have to keep goals clear and if your goals change you do something else. It makes you stare into the abyss about what you want to do."
This offseason, however, Gerut's knee felt strengthened and he decided to play winter ball in Venezuela. Not only did he play every day, he also led the league with a .390 batting average.
That caught the attention of several organizations, including the Padres.
General manager Kevin Towers said team scout Van Smith called to let him know what Gerut was doing.
"(Smith) said if we're looking for outfield depth we should sign him," Towers said. "He looks like the Jody Gerut when he was in Cleveland.' "
After taking a survey of his options, and getting a strong endorsement from Josh Bard ---- whom he played with in Cleveland ---- Gerut signed a minor-league deal.
But he's already made some good impressions, including his two plate appearances on Wednesday.
"What he did in Venezuela, that tells me his knee issues of the last few years are behind him," manager Bud Black said. "If he can regain the form he had early in his career when he was with Cleveland, then he's a guy who becomes very interesting."
Bard, who was part of a 2001 trade with Gerut from Colorado to Cleveland, is very intrigued to see what Gerut can do. He's seen the results in the past and knows how hard Gerut has worked. He thinks the Padres might have found themselves a keeper.
"If he can prove that he's healthy he's a big-time diamond in the rough," Bard said. "You look at his numbers when he was healthy, he put up huge numbers. ... We've got a lot of capable candidates over here, but he's got a great upside."
Now if only he can show it.
Gerut knows the competition ---- Chase Headley, Jeff DaVanon, Scott Hairston, Chip Ambres and others ---- for time in left field is stacked. But with his health back, Gerut feels he can at least make the Padres' decision tough.
"There's a point in the process of coming back where you can't control what happens," Gerut said. "We're close to that point. We're almost at it. The only thing you can do at this point is to be a good teammate, to play crisp, heads-up fundamental baseball and stay within yourself and let the results dictate."
Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com. Comment at sports.nctimes.com.
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