With Dansby Swanson's return to the Atlanta lineup on Monday at Coors Field after missing more than a month, the shortstop is confident his heel injury is completely behind him.
“Being able to go down to (Single-A) Rome and get the confidence back of moving around was the biggest key for me,” Swanson said. “I can trust moving laterally, running, and all the other actions that are involved in a baseball game.”
Swanson started at shortstop and batted sixth against the Rockies in the makeup of a game postponed in April.
The 25-year old was injured on July 23 against the Royals, when he scraped his heel on a base. The team initially underestimated the severity of the injury, officially labeled a right foot contusion, and he re-aggravated it during running drills a few weeks later.
Batting .265 with a career-high 17 homers, Swanson said he watched a lot of video while injured and kept up with the big-league club during his three rehab games in Rome.
“Once we figured out it was a little more serious than we thought, I had one choice, and that was to be the best teammate I can be,” Swanson said. “Whether I was on the road trips or not, I was doing all I could to take care of myself and be there for my teammates, too.”
While Swanson was shelved, Atlanta turned to Johan Camargo, Adeiny Hechavarria and Charlie Culberson at shortstop. Hechavarria was signed on Aug. 16 and the club opted to retain him even with Swanson's return, sending outfielder Adam Duvall back to Triple A Gwinnett in a corresponding move.
