The Interrogation Room: Jason Rogers
The Interrogation Room: You got off to a good start in April, but got injured in a game against the Quad Cities River Bandits on April 24. Can you let the readers know what happened on that play?
Jason Rogers: Before the season I was dealing with carpal tunnel in my wrist, and throughout the early part of the season it got worse. On that play I swung at a high outside fastball. During mid-swing I heard a pop in my hand, and I put my head down for a second thinking I just broke something in my hand. The doctors decided that the hand-mate hook bone in my hand had broken off and that the injury was stress related to my carpal tunnel.
TIR: What did you do to rehabilitate the injury?
JR: I worked a lot on my grip strength and forearms.
TIR: How do you think you played after returning to the Timber Rattlers after the Midwest League All-Star Break?
JR: Coming back from an injury like that, it took me a couple weeks to get back into the swing of things. I didn't play like I wanted to, but there were still some good things that happen last season.
TIR: In an earlier edition of The Interrogation Room, Reggie Keen said that your long run followed by a diving catch in foul territory against the Quad Cities River Bandits tied for the best defensive play by a Rattler he saw this year. What do you remember about that play?
JR: Tied?!?! I still can't believe I made that play. There was an left hand hitter at the plate and the outfield was playing him to pull the ball. When he hit the ball it felt like I ran 20 yards because it was slicing away from me. But luckily I got a good jump on the ball and stayed with it to make a nice diving catch. The landing wasn't so nice.
TIR: Some people were surprised when you made some starts at first base late in the season. Would you let them know why they should NOT have been surprised?
JR: Because first base is my natural position, but I am willing to play anywhere to help the team win - if that includes playing shortstop or second, I'm willing to do it.
TIR: How was your offseason?
JR: My offseason was a much needed one. I spent a lot of time with family, friends, and training to become the best baseball player I can be for the upcoming 2012 season.
TIR: Was there anything that you were asked to work on to prepare for the 2012 season?
JR: The Brewers asked me to work mostly on my flexibility, weight loss, and strengthen my core. [So,] I've been working on improving my flexibility and core by incorporating P90X and Insanity training into my workouts.
TIR: You are on twitter as @JasonRogers2003. Are you really a hot air balloon pilot or is that just profile padding?
JR: Ha ha I wish. It was a joke that me and my teammates came up with last year. I wanted to see how many people would notice it but only a few commented on it.
TIR: Seriously, though, what do you enjoy most about twitter?
JR: I enjoy seeing the crazy stuff people tweet about every day, especially Chad "ochocinco" Johnson. He says some funny stuff when he's interacting with his followers.