Brett Lawrie believes he missed so many games while with the Toronto Blue Jays because of the artificial turf at the Rogers Centre.

Lawrie has missed 184 games since the start of the 2012 season.

Traded to the Oakland Athletics last month, he is looking forward to running around on real grass and real dirt next season.

"It treats my body kind of silly and throws it off," Lawrie said of the artificial turf. "I just want to go out and be healthy, and I feel like this getting off the turf is a big step forward for me."