Moss on the mend from hip surgery

Associated Press

GOODYEAR, Ariz.

As he works on his potent swing, Brandon Moss is also testing his patience this spring.

Acquired in a December trade from Oakland to bring more power to Cleveland’s lineup, the All-Star from last season has been making solid progress as he recovers from hip surgery. Both he and the Indians’ training staff have been encouraged that he’s ahead of schedule.

Moss has taken batting practice this week after early projections he would not be on the field until early March.

“Obviously, they have a timetable and a frame in which they’re trying to keep me in to make sure everything goes as planned, but right now I feel outstanding,” Moss said.

Moss has been at the Indians Player Development Complex rehabbing from the repair of a torn labrum in his right hip, an injury that caused pain every time he swung the bat in 2014. He’s working toward more position-specific running. Indians manager Terry Francona said Moss will soon start working in right field.

During batting practice this week, Moss showed off a little bit of his power as he ripped two homers over the right-field wall, shots that drew the attention of teammates and coaches. While it’s pleasing to watch baseballs sail into the Arizona sky, Moss is more pleased to swing without pain.

“It has felt amazing,” he said. “I was taking some pretty aggressive swings. I’m not going to sit there and baby it. If it’s going to bother it, it’s going to bother it.”

Needing a bat with some pop, the Indians traded for Moss on Dec. 9, getting him from the Athletics in exchange for minor league infielder Joey Wendle. Over the past three seasons, Moss has averaged a home run per 15.93 at-bats, which is ninth in the majors.

Moss delayed having surgery because Oakland was in contention for a postseason spot. He was able to play through the pain the first couple months, batting .268 with 21 homers and 66 RBIs as he made the AL All-Star team for the first time.

But the pain worsened and Moss’ production plummeted. He batted just .173 with four home runs and 15 RBIs after the break.