Jonny Venters returned to the Braves clubhouse Friday wearing a splint on his left arm, just one day after having season-ending “Tommy John” elbow surgery. His disappointment was still fresh, especially having to undergo ligament transplant surgery for the second time in his career.
“I feel like this team has a chance to do something special, and I’m not going to be able to contribute - that’s disappointing,” Venters said. “The whole thing is disappointing. All the work I’ve put in to try to stay healthy, but it’s nothing I have control over. Now I’ll go work as hard as I can and try to come back. I feel pretty confident about it. The surgery went well.”
Dr. James Andrews told Venters he can expect a 12-month rehab, similar to first-time ligament transplant patients. Odds of returning to form as repeat transplant patients are much tougher, but Venters said he’s optimistic he can be one that makes it.
“I’ve just go to work hard and do everything I can,” Venters said. “If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. I think I should be fine though.”
Venters had a long road back after his 2005 surgery as a minor leaguer. He was pitching again after 12 months out but only made it 80 innings before a scar tissue setback cost him significant time.
Venters had pitched only 103 innings combined as a starter and reliever in 2005 when his ligament blew. That gives him reason to believe now that his workload of recent years is not what led to tearing it again, contrary to popular belief.
Venters led the major leagues with 85 appearances in 2011, his All-Star season, and pitched in 164 games over a two-year period.
“I think it’s one of those things that if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,” Venters said. “I think it’s just the way I throw. I put a lot of stress on that ligament….I don’t think (workload) had anything to do with it. I wouldn’t change anything about those two years that I pitched so much for anything.”
