Padres’ Grandal Hopes The Worst Is Behind Him

May 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal (8) hits a three-run home run to tie the game in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

After going down with a knee injury this past August, San Diego Padres’ catcher Yasmani Grandal can now go about his business without the questions and doubt ringing in the back of his mind. Over the past couple of days, the team has removed the restrictions, and are now allowing one of their key players to test the surgically-repaired knee. Grandal has now caught on back-to-back nights, and hasn’t reported any set backs. He shared his thoughts on his progress with Corey Brock of Padres.com:

"I feel good … I’m very excited,” Grandal said before the game. “… Me and [manager Bud Black] talked about it in Milwaukee when I caught 12 innings [April 22] and we talked about it in Washington. It’s all good.”"

Grandal’s real test came the other night when he was behind the dish for all 12 frames of the Padres’ match-up with the visiting Kansas City Royals. He added “There’s no soreness, but it’s more like fatigue.” The team will continue to watch Grandal’s work load, but as the season continues to progress, and his knee shows the ability to withstand a heavy workload, expect Grandal to be behind the plate on most days.

Grandal has played in four consecutive games, also seeing time at first base as well as catching. He knows his legs are feeling strong after he hit a big 3-run bomb that tied the game up for the Padres against one of the Royals’ best young arms in Yordano Ventura. Grandal’s bat as well as his pitch-framing skills couldn’t be getting healthy at a better time for a team whose offense is in dire need of production.