Grady Sizemore is back. Well, kind of.
According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the oft-injured outfielder is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Sunday afternoon against the Diamondbacks. Sizemore won’t play center field, but he’ll see two at-bats as the Tribe’s designated hitter in what will be a significant step in his ongoing recovery from microfracture knee surgery.
Sizemore has been taking it easy this spring in Indians camp to avoid setbacks and will probably be placed on the 15-day disabled list once the rest of the roster heads north, but a smooth debut this weekend and a strong finish to the Cactus League schedule could leave him primed for a mid-April return to the major leagues.
Sizemore, 28, hasn’t played in a big league game since May 16, 2010. He made only 128 at-bats all season.