DeRosa happy to get back on field

Mar 11, 2008 - 2:34 AM MARYVALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- In spring training, numbers mean little.

They mean even less to Chicago Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa, who went 0-for-3 against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday in his first game back since having surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat.

"I survived," DeRosa told MLB.com after grounding out twice and popping out against Dave Bush in a 6-4 loss. "I felt completely normal, I really did. I feel better than normal.

"What my normal used to be has been enhanced. I feel really good. It was good to be out there, and now it's time to forget about it and work on fundamentals."

The 33-year-old infielder has been out of action since being taken to a Mesa hospital on February 25 after experiencing an irregular heartbeat during drills.

"The first three or four days (after the surgery) were rough," DeRosa said of the surgery. "Just the scare factor of it and dealing with the fact I just had heart surgery, and now I'm going to go back and playing baseball. That kind of ended when I got back into the clubhouse with the guys. They help you take your mind off it pretty quick."

DeRosa first was diagnosed with the condition as a teenager, but he told the Cubs that it had been happening with more frequency.

On February 27, he flew to Chicago to undergo a procedure in which a catheter was inserted into his leg in the groin area. DeRosa rejoined the Cubs last week but was not allowed to play in any games until his leg healed.

DeRosa was the Cubs' most versatile player last season - his first in Chicago - and batted .293 with 10 home runs and 72 RBI in 149 games.

"He wants to get through that first or second obstacle playing, knowing he can play," Cubs manager Lou Piniella told MLB.com. "He's been working hard. He hasn't faced any live pitching, and this was live pitching for him. It's going to take him a little bit. Getting at-bats will help."

DeRosa was glad to have the whole ordeal behind him.

"Now, it's nice to forget about it and go back to early work and working on the things for the season," he said.