SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Cody Ross wants to be lost and found in the jumble of the Diamondbacks' roster questions, but nobody doubts the outfielder will be a part of this year's team. His leadership and the $9.5 million he'll make this season before a final team option for 2016 is good enough reason to know so.
But 34-years-old and fighting up-and-coming outfielders for playing time, Ross is coming off a forgettable season that followed a freak hip injury suffered in 2013.
Somehow, with all the expected questions about his role this year and future with the team, he feels free.
"I feel like I couldn't be in a better place," Ross said. "I've never really had anything handed to me in this game until a couple years ago, had a contract and sort of told, 'You're the guy,' and I didn't know how to react. And injuries played a part in that. I'm back to where I'm comfortable and ready to go out there and prove people wrong, prove that I'm ready to go."
Roll back the calendar to August 2013. Attempting to beat a throw to first, Ross dislocated his hip and fractured the hip socket. The veteran returned in mid-April last season, but he never could get back on track. Ross' on-base plus slugging percentage, .628, fell below .720 for the first time since 2006 as he watched the rise of young outfielders David Peralta and Ender Inciarte. Former D-backs manager Kirk Gibson lamented how Ross made his return from his hip injury, and the outfielder's play suffered following the rushed return.
There is hope the outfielder can find the pre-injury magic with an offseason focused on baseball work rather than recovery.
Over his career, Ross has been significantly more effective hitting left-handed pitchers -- his average jumps from .250 against righties to .294 -- giving him one advantage over Peralta and Inciarte, though Inciarte can be used against lefties as well.
"Cody is such an impact guy off the bench, late in the game, against a set-up lefty, so we'll use him," said Arizona manager Chip Hale, before adding the obvious. "Again, health. When he's healthy I think he can still be a very productive player."
Ross certainly was productive against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, knocking two doubles in three at-bats.
The value Ross brings in experience grows beyond his own production.
Third baseman Jake Lamb credited Ross for giving him advice that led to a home run against Athletics veteran pitcher Barry Zito -- Ross told Lamb which pitch was coming and when. Shortstop Nick Ahmed, who is attempting to prove his swing is capable, lists Ross among the veteran hitters on the team who have been open books.
Ross' place on a young team with such low expectations has done the inevitable. It's led to his name being floated in trade rumors.
"I used to let those things bother me back when I was a young buck. Now, I'm so used to it," Ross said.
He's firmly committed to helping this team, even though his contract situation naturally makes this season about proving doubters wrong. Ross thrives in those situations, but the best-case scenario might take from the old cliche: winning cures all ills.
"I'd be lying if I didn't want to play every day," Ross said. "I'm happy with whatever role that they want me to be in. I feel like we're going to have a good year, team-wise. I just want to win and that's the bottom line."
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