Andrelton Simmons is focusing on his physical conditioning as he looks to bounce back in the 2020 campaign.
The Los Angeles Angels shortstop said this week that he has gotten lighter in order to reduce the stress on his ankles after suffering two separate ankle injuries in 2019.
“[The injuries] definitely affected me,” said Simmons, per Jeff Fletcher of the OC Register. “You have to learn how to play slightly limited. I was OK … I maybe lost the momentum I had, the rhythm and timing. I wasn’t stretching singles into doubles. I could move, but not as good.
“I believe in myself,” the four-time Gold Glover added. “I know I can keep doing for quite a couple of years to come, and I’m still improving as a hitter. Even though it didn’t show up last year because of different things, I know I’m still improving as a hitter and still growing as a hitter.”
Simmons, one of the game’s perenially best defensive players, did experience a slight downturn at the plate last season, hitting .264 with a .673 OPS in 103 appearances. His latest ankle injuries looked pretty bad, and he also suffered a separate sprain in 2018. With that history in mind, getting in better shape as he enters his age-30 season seems like a very wise move.
