Gibson back at ballpark following knee surgery

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- D-backs manager Kirk Gibson just couldn't stay away from the ballpark. A day after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, the skipper was back at Salt River Fields on Wednesday, albeit without much pep in his step, as he needed crutches to maneuver around the complex.

"I feel great, a lot better than I did yesterday," Gibson said. "It was something I needed to get taken care of and tomorrow I'll be even better."

Gibson said he first felt the discomfort about five to seven days before the D-backs left for Australia. Team athletic trainers worked on the knee, but it began hurting worse during the club's trip Down Under.

When the D-backs arrived back in Arizona earlier this week, Gibson underwent an MRI the same day and scheduled the hour-long surgery.

Gibson will stay on crutches for at least a couple more days and in the interim, bench coach Alan Trammell will continue to manage the club's Cactus League games, as he did for Wednesday's contest against the Cubs. Gibson watched the game from the left-field balcony.

"It was good to get it done," Gibson said. "Never would've made it through the season that way."