Colorado Rockies: Jon Gray talks about his injury and return

While it was disappointing for Gray (and the Rockies) to have lost part of his season, there is a silver lining in the injury. The timing of it allows Gray to have a full offseason to recover. He believes that his recovery will be different and stronger this season than it was last year.

Two screws in the top of his foot will ensure that Gray’s activities in the offseason won’t cause further damage. That’s a specter that loomed over last offseason, Gray admits.

"“There were things that I stayed away from because I knew it could trouble it, like pushing sleds, things like that — things with high impact on it, I didn’t want to do,” Gray said. “A whole lot of jumping … I can’t do jumps. So there are a whole lot of things now that I’m able to do because it’s not going to recur. “I’ll be able to dunk again. It’ll be fun.”"

After spending another week in his post-surgery wrapping, Gray will switch over to a boot. At that point, he expects to be able to begin doing some lifting and upper body work. He also expects to be able to put some pressure on the foot for the first time since the surgery.

From there, it’s an offseason of working toward a 2020 season where Gray said he wants to become more of a leader (and a force) for the team.

"“The goal is to come in ad be even more of a guy that people want to play behind, more of a guy that when they take the field they know they’re going to win that day. Just go out and win,” Gray said. “All the time, I play against people like (Zack) Greinke and (Clayton) Kershaw, those good starters. You know that feeling when you take the field against them you’re going to have get everything you can get from them. I want that same feeling when I take the mound. I want the other team to feel this advantage. They’re going to have to get everything they can out of me. I just want to be that tough guy that no one wants to face.”"