Springs comes early - first news story of winter about a vet getting ready to report to camp in great shape after a winter workout regimen

(found after doing one Google search and a couple of minutes examining the results)

Seattlepi.com, Feb 12 2009:

Some scouts have said Griffey is done, noting Griffey’s inability to drive the ball last year after his trade to the Chicago White Sox. Those assessments are a big reason there is less interest in the 39-year-old left-handed slugger than might be expected.

Speaking with the Seattle P-I on Jan. 22, Kremcheck said those selling Griffey short were making a mistake.

“He had cartilage damage and some degeneration of his left knee,” Kremcheck said. “It limited his ability to push off. We cleaned it out and it’s going to really help him utilize his left leg and core in generating power. I think you will see a different Junior. Will he have the power of 15 years ago? No. But maybe the power of 5-6-7 years ago.”

From mlb.com, also Feb 12, 2009:

Griffey had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in October to repair a partially torn meniscus and cartilage and the tending physician said the 39-year-old outfielder has completely recovered.

The injury, suffered last April when he accidently bumped into a trunk inside the Reds clubhouse, has been blamed for the lack of power he displayed with the Reds and later in the season with the White Sox.

After hitting 30 home runs and driving in 93 runs for the Reds in 2007, Griffey hit 18 home runs and drove in 71 runs last season. The fact he couldn’t push off his back (left) leg deprived him of power.

The Mariners are hoping to get the ’07 version.

Seattle Times, Feb 13, 2009:

But Griffey’s proponents point out that he played much of the year with an injured left knee that prevented him from driving with his plant leg. Kremchek performed arthroscopic surgery in October to repair partially torn meniscus and cartilage, and believes the procedure should help restore Griffey’s power. Griffey hit 30 homers and drove in 93 runs in 2007.

“I’ll tell you this: He’ll be a different guy than you saw last year,” said Kremchek. “He’s able to run, he has more flexibility. His hamstring is strong. His leg feels good. His shoulder is stable. He’s in as good shape as he’s been in a few years.”

more from mlb.com, March 17, 2009:

“There is no pain in his knee,” Wakamatsu said. “He has assured us of that. But he also has told us that the knee is about 75 to 85 percent, strength-wise. We think it will be close to 100 percent by the time the [regular] season opens, and the challenge we have is how many games we can get him out there before the season starts.”