Nationals fans, get ready — the team kicks off spring training in West Palm Beach, Florida, on February 24. In an interview with Northern Virginia Magazine, outfielder Stone Garrett shares his thoughts on safe injury recovery, his favorite spots in the DMV, and what fans can expect from the coming season.
You spent the offseason in DC after fracturing your fibula in August. How has your recovery been?
We’ve been running, so we’re progressing. No pain — so far, which is good. The range mobility is getting there. All the signs point toward a healthy 2024.
What are your plans for spring training? What are you looking forward to?
I’ll be there. I’m heading down there the beginning of February. You know, obviously, spring training, you’re just getting in the swing of things again. Just baseball, [and] hit West Palm Beach. There are some really good seafood spots out there. And then maybe a little golf. That’s mainly the thing — spring training, catching up with the guys, relaxing in West Palm Beach.
You ended the last 11 of your games hitting .378. Do you have any goals for when you get back on the field?
To be healthy, take care of my body. Just do what I have to do on a daily basis to go out there and compete every single game. That’s really the only thing I can control … to be in the best position to compete every day at the highest level. Those are my goals.
Do you have a particular outfield position you always want to be playing?
No, it doesn’t matter. Once you’re out there, you know, you pretty much adapt. … I really have no preference.
What are your expectations for the coming season for the Nats?
Just keep continuing in the right direction, which is to win more games than we did, and just go out there and compete every day with the guys that we got. [They’re] highly competitive guys.
Tell us how you spent your offseason in DC, other than in rehab.
Checking out a lot of restaurants. My mom was in town over Thanksgiving week. We went to a lot of museums. We went to the Caps game … an awesome experience. I go to those pretty much every time I’m in town. I’ve been to a couple of Wizards games, those are fun. Pretty much just checking out the food scene, going to support other local teams. And the museums are pretty cool.
Any particular restaurants you want to give a shout-out to?
If you want Italian, you go to il Canale in Georgetown, or if you want Mediterranean, my favorite spot is Zaytinya, which is right across the street from Capital One [Arena]. That’s always a good pregame meal. You really can’t go wrong with the menu there.
Feature image of Stone Garrett courtesy Washington Nationals
This story originally ran in our February issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
