Andrew Heaney made just two starts and threw 10.1 scoreless innings before he began experiencing left shoulder discomfort, which caused the Los Angeles Dodgers to place him on the 10-day injured list on April 20.
Now more than a month later, Heaney has made enough progress to begin truly ramping up his rehab process as he works toward a return to the Dodgers’ rotation. That started with a few bullpen sessions, and on Monday the left-hander faced Kevin Pillar, Hanser Alberto and prospects Gaige Howard and Marco Hernandes in a simulated game.
“It went really well. I feel good and kind of ready to get back into compete mode,” Heaney said about his simulated game. “First time facing hitters, and I think in five days I’ll throw in a game. I feel good and I’m ready to go.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was also impressed with Heaney during the sim game.
“Today was good. It was up and down twice, 35 pitches or something like that, used his entire pitch mix, came out of it really good and he was sharp,” Roberts said. “From talking to him and the pitching guys, the training (staff) guys, he came out of it feeling good.
“So the next thing is he’ll throw a side session in a couple days and (I) expect for him to go on rehab sometime this weekend — probably Friday or Saturday.”
While there is sometimes the mental aspect of overcoming an injury, Heaney said that’s not on his mind because he is confident he’s healthy and ready to go.
“I mean, knock on wood, I don’t feel anything. It’s nothing that I’m really thinking about,” Heaney said. “I’ve definitely shifted my focus more to competing and getting back to executing pitches and doing what I was doing before. I’m not even thinking about health or anything like that.”
Heaney also added that “it’s been a while” since he last felt discomfort in his shoulder.
“I didn’t throw for almost three weeks, so once I started throwing I felt good,” Heaney said. “That was kind of the main thing. Like, ‘Hey, we’re not going to try and rush this and have setbacks and rest and all that. It’s got to be 100%.’”
Heaney beginning rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City
One day after Heaney’s throwing session, Roberts reiterated the left-hander remained on track to start a rehab assignment this weekend. The Dodgers anticipate it will come with Triple-A Oklahoma City and consist of multiple outings.
“I think it’s going to be at least two, maybe three or four rehab starts,” Roberts said.
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