Brandon Beachy didn’t get his wish to contribute during the stretch run or playoffs, but he did at least get some sense of relief for what’s been ailing his surgically-repaired right elbow.
Beachy underwent arthroscopic surgery Thursday to remove a loose body from his elbow, which contributed to the inflammation that hindered his return from Tommy John surgery.
“There’s definitely a sense of relief, finding what the doctors had speculated they would find,” said Beachy, who had Tommy John surgery June 21, 2012 said. “And then having the reaffirmation that my ligament is good, it definitely puts the mind at ease.”
Beachy was only able to make five starts this season, going 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA, before his elbow pain got to the point where he lost significant velocity on his fastball Aug. 20 against the Mets. Rest didn’t solve it either, as he aborted several attempts to re-start his throwing program in September.
“I tried to pitch through it in New York and my body started shutting it down; the velocity changed and everything changed,” Beachy said. “I just wasn’t going to be able to help this team pitching through that. That was a tough realization to come to but it was the right one.”
Beachy said the loose body didn’t show up on initial MRIs or X-rays but a CT scan revealed the problem.
“There it is just plain as day - this little piece of bone sticking off the end unattached,” Beachy said. “And they took off another bone spur and some extra calcified tissue and that little loose body.”
Beachy said he can expect to get his normal range of motion back in four to six weeks, and that he’ll be able to take a normal offseason break then be ready to go at the start of spring training. He expects to come back for the 2014 season fully healthy.
“That’s the hope,” Beachy said. “I can’t wait to just pick up a ball and hopefully feel normal again. On a personal level I’m looking forward to that, but I can’t wait to watch these guys in the playoffs. It’s what the guys have worked hard all year for and I’m going to be here supporting them.”
