'Nothing torn' in Dickerson's sprained ankle
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Outfielder Alex Dickerson admitted some sense of relief Saturday after tests conducted on his severely sprained left ankle showed no further damage.
Dickerson was in San Diego on Thursday to have his ankle looked at after an MRI in Arizona showed he had a severe sprain. The tests in San Diego by team doctors confirmed as much.
"There's nothing torn," Dickerson said. "So we'll move on from there."
Just where, Dickerson isn't certain. He knows that he'll be out of action for a period of two or so weeks, meaning there's a good chance he remains behind in Arizona for extended spring training even after all other players have left, either to San Diego or Minor League affiliates.
Dickerson wasn't going to win a spot on the Padres' 25-man roster to start the season and was ticketed for Triple-A El Paso. He still is, only his season will start a little later than his teammates.
The injury was frustrating because of the timing. Dickerson, after a slow start, was just beginning to hit the ball on a more consistent basis. But a week ago, he landed awkwardly on the ankle while participating in bounding exercises before a morning workout.
Up until that point, Dickerson had raised his average to .280 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 25 at-bats. He has worked closely with hitting coaches Phil Plantier and Alonzo Powell to iron some things out in his left-handed swing. Things were finally beginning to click for him.
Dickerson said this was the first ankle sprain he's had in his life.
"They say that it hurts a lot more when it's your first one," he said. "... So we'll just take it day by day."