Ortiz: 'I'm not going to push it again'

David Ortiz reported improvement since the PRP injection he received almost two weeks ago to promote healing in his injured right Achilles. However, while he suggested he's "been feeling totally different ... when it comes to healing," the slugger -- who spent several days not walking after the injection, did not travel during the West Coast trip and now is wearing a protective boot on his right foot -- said that he's still in the healing process, rather than healed.

"I'm not there yet. I'm not there," he said. "When they do that PRP thing, they kind of dig in there. They're adding something that wasn't there. That's got to go back in place and start the healing process. Like everybody knows, that's now a two-week thing. So I'm pretty sure that after they get the boot off, I'm going to start getting treatment different than what I'm getting right now. It all depends now how sensitive still I get to be down there. They think step by step."

Given the progression, while Ortiz is optimistic about a recovery from his right Achilles injury -- which landed him on the disabled list on July 17 and resulted in roughly five weeks of rehab before Ortiz returned to the lineup for one game, only to reaggravate the injury -- he did not sound optimistic about returning this year. 

"To be honest with you, what I'm looking for right now is to make sure I heal up the right way. I pushed it once. Didn't work. So I'm not going to push it again," Ortiz said, referring to his one game back in the lineup on August 24, when he felt intense discomfort while running the bases. "If I'm good to go, I'm good to go. If I am, I am.

"The doctors are looking to make sure I don't have to worry about this anymore," he added. "That's the goal right now. We don't see the point of coming back and not being ready yet."

Ortiz reiterated that he doesn't need surgery on the injury and that he is optimistic that he's on the road to recovery. 

"Like I told them, I just don't want no more setbacks," said Ortiz. "Last time, I had that setback, I basically told them, 'Do I need surgery for this?' They said, 'No, you don't need surgery.' So, OK, let's fix this. That way I don't have to worry about it anymore. That's basically what they're doing right now. I'm pretty sure our doctors, they're going to do whatever it takes to get me where I want to be. I think we're on the way right now. I've been feeling really good after the PRP thing."

Asked how the injury might affect his position as a free agent this offseason, Ortiz seemed unconcerned. 

"I don't know. I think, of course, whoever is going to sign you wants to make sure you're healthy," he said. "Everybody knows that. It's not a secret. But on the other hand, I think it will be fine. "

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