LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla -- Approaching the eight-month mark in what is typically a 12-13 month recovery from "Tommy John" elbow surgery, Braves pitcher Brandon Beachy has made steady progress and could be cleared to throw off a mound by the end of next week.
He hates not being able to throw bullpens and batting practice like the other pitchers in the first week of spring training, but Beachy said the recent incremental progress has made it a little easier to continue with a crucial component in surgery rehab: patience.
"It definitely feels closer now," said Beachy, who ranked among major league leaders with a 2.00 ERA in 13 starts before his season-ending injury.
He had surgery June 21 and reiterated Wednesday that he hoped to be back at around the one-year anniversary of the ligament-transplant procedure.
"I’m not going to get hung up on an actual date," he said, "because I haven’t even been on a mound yet. And I don’t know how it’s going to respond to the build-up. I’m just excited to get on the mound.”
