PEORIA, Ariz. — Potential has given way to desperation. In the end, Jesus Montero has only himself to blame.
At the age of 24, Montero could be out of the Mariners’ plans by the end of spring training. He’s already out of the catching game. A bad knee and bad technique have forced the Mariners to move him to first base. He’s coming off an incredibly poor year, after disappointing on the field, then being implicated in the Biogenesis scandal and earning a suspension. Now he has come to camp overweight.
That’s pretty much the Triple Crown of disappointment. Dealt for Michael Pineda, it’s a trade that has been bad for both the Mariners and Yankees.
“I played winter ball in Venezuela, my knee was good, I played a lot of first base,’’ Montero told The Post Monday. He apologized for his suspension.
“It was a bad experience, but I learned a lot,’’ said Montero, who underwent surgery on his left knee last June. “I learned to be mature, prepare better to play baseball every single day. It was hard, but now it’s in the past.’’
First he has to get into shape.
Because of the knee injury, Montero said he was not able to work out as often as needed and sat around and did too much eating. Many people can relate, but that is not a good situation for a major league player. The Mariners have Justin Smoak, Logan Morrison and Corey Hart, who can all play first. Montero hit only .208 in 29 games for the Mariners last season, a year he began as their starting catcher.
New hitting coach Howard Johnson is hoping for the best for Montero.
“He’s ready to work, I have nothing but good things to say about him,’’ Johnson said. “He had a bad year last year, but his knee blew up and he had that surgery. I think it will help him not having to go back behind the plate.’’
“I have to move forward, I have to play harder,’’ Montero said.
Honest words that he must act upon now to regain control of his once promising career that has turned to disappointment.