Major League Baseball

Nats LaRoche having trouble throwing, not hitting

Published Feb. 24, 2012 8:30 p.m. ET

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Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche's surgically repaired left shoulder still is not perfect when it comes to throwing a baseball.

As the Nationals get ready for their first official full-squad workout of spring training on Saturday, LaRoche prefers to focus on how well his shoulder feels when he's batting.

''Throwing and hitting are two separate things,'' LaRoche said. ''Hitting feels great. I just need repetitions throughout spring, and I feel like I'm ready to go. ... Honestly, it would be nice to be 100 percent throwing. But if it's not, I'm not worried about it.''

Having a healthy LaRoche certainly would help Washington's offense, because the team figures he could contribute about 25 homers and 85 RBIs to a lineup that faltered at times last season. While LaRoche's numbers at the plate might not be considered outstanding for a first baseman, his glove skills are good enough to shorten innings for the pitching staff.

The 32-year-old showed flashes of that defense last season, despite trying to play for a while with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, the one he throws with.

He lasted 43 games and was batting just .172 with three homers and a .288 on-base percentage.

LaRoche said his shoulder didn't hurt when he hit; it felt weak. That meant he couldn't get to pitches he normally would be able to put in play.

As for throwing? Any time LaRoche needed to make a hard throw, his shoulder would hurt for two or three days.

Looking back, it might have been easier if he had not tried to play last season until his shoulder was healed. However, LaRoche has no regrets.

''I gave it (43) games and it didn't work,'' he said. ''It was miserable, to say the least, to have to sit and watch for the majority of the season and not be able to do anything about it. But now, looking back, it's worth it, because everything so far feels great.''

While his throwing still is not perfect, his shoulder does feel stronger and there is no more lingering pain if he's forced to make a hard throw.

After getting in some soft-toss flips and batting practice at spring training, LaRoche said he feels like his old self, ''which is nice. I haven't had that for a while.''

While LaRoche was busy trying to work his way back into shape to play for Washington this season, the Nationals were busy pursuing a big ticket free-agent replacement: Prince Fielder.

Ultimately, Fielder signed a deal worth more than $200 million with the Detroit Tigers, which left the door open for LaRoche to reclaim his starting job at first base. He insisted there are no hard feelings.

''If anything, honestly, I've got respect for this team for trying to make us better any way they can,'' LaRoche said. ''I think it shows the direction we're trying to go. If you get a player like that, who's a game-changer for long term, I would have totally understood.

''I'm glad it didn't work out. I'm glad to be back here.''

In his last full season, which came with the Arizona Diamondbacks two years ago, LaRoche hit .261 with 25 homers and 100 RBIs. He believes he's quite capable of doing that again.

''The confidence is there,'' he said. ''I feel like a new player and it's all (about) having a little bit of strength back and knowing I can get to pitches I want to get to.''

Michael Morse, who moved from the outfield to first base when LaRoche went on the disabled list, believes the eight-year veteran will have a big impact in the Nationals lineup because the players hitting around him won't feel the pressure to do more than they're capable of.

Morse also believes LaRoche can be the perfect kind of role model a team like the Nationals needs because he has been such a consistent player throughout his career.

''The biggest thing, I think, is that we have a young team,'' Morse said. ''We have a lot of talent. One thing you've got to learn in the big leagues is how to be consistent. Well, when you've got guys around like him that do that day in and day out, it's something that rubs off on other guys. He's a professional, and when he's healthy, he's a threat.''

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