LAKELAND, Fla. — It happens every morning. The clubhouse slowly empties out, his teammates are either going to the back fields to work or preparing to play in the day’s game. Or, like Sunday, they’re packing their bags and bats and boarding the bus to Sarasota.
Kyle Funkhouser would love to be among them. Instead, the Tigers’ workhorse reliever drifts in and out, impervious to the clatter, no need to check the day's duty roster. The spikes and glove and uniform in his locker stall are unnecessary accoutrements these days. His uniform is a pair of workout shorts and a pullover. His office is the trainer’s room.
“The timing is the worst,” said Funkhouser, who has been shut down all spring with a right lat strain. “The injury seemingly isn’t too bad. But like if this would have happened in December, it would have been a quick, easy shutdown for a couple of weeks, some rehab and I still would’ve been ready for camp and the season.
