Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Lightning Strikes Twice in Same Place
Then Braves starting pitcher Brandon Beachy (37) warms up in the second inning at Brighthouse Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Dodgers’ Brandon Beachy to make return after 2 Tommy John surgeries
LOS ANGELES — Starting pitcher Brandon Beachy will make his Los Angeles Dodgers debut Saturday, completing a comeback from a second Tommy John operation to his right elbow.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly announced Friday that Beachy will be his starting pitcher for the next day’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Beachy underwent his second elbow reconstruction surgery in March 2014.
“At times, there was no light at the end of the tunnel and some dark days in there,” Beachy said. “It’s something I’m really glad I’ve been through, and it will be something I’ll always remember.”
The Dodgers signed Beachy in spring training to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with a club option for 2016 in the hope he would return in time for the second half. After making five minor league rehab starts and going 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA, Beachy told general manager Farhan Zaidi he was ready to return to the major leagues.
Saturday will be Beachy’s first appearance in a major league game since Aug. 20, 2013.
In a way, getting back on the mound was the easy part for Beachy. Staying in the Dodgers’ rotation could prove a challenge. Of 29 major league pitchers who have undergone two Tommy John operations, 66 percent have made it back to pitch again, but only 42 percent have managed to pitch 10 games.
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Asked if he can buck the odds, Beachy said, “I believe so. There’s only one way to find out, right?”
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[ Ed. note – Good luck, old friend! ]