When Caleb Ferguson was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery last September most assumed he would not pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season due to the long recovery process. There also was the fact of it being the second such operation of his career.
While every indication thus far is Ferguson’s rehab has gone well, the likelihood of returning during the 2021 season appears to be nothing more than a dream scenario. “Obviously, I think I would like to try to pitch this year but I doubt it will happen with it being my second surgery,” Ferguson acknowledged.
“I brought it up last year when it first happened, about trying to pitch in September for this year, and they shot it down immediately. I don’t know. I think we’re going to just kind of follow the program and see where it takes us. See what happens kind of thing.
“If everything is going smooth then maybe there’s a chance, but we haven’t really had any of those talks. It’s just kind of been getting the range of motion back, making sure everything is good, making sure the elbow is where it needs to be and then going from there.”
Ferguson has already begun playing catch, throwing from what he estimated to be roughly 60 feet “five or six times.” That’s helped ease frustration that came with needing a second Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.
“I wasn’t really nervous or worried, because there’s been plenty of guys that have had two. I was obviously bummed out that I was going to miss the rest of the year,” Ferguson said.
“I think we had six games left or something like that. Not being able to finish out the season and obviously having to watch the team win the World Series sucked. But I don’t think I was ever worried or anything. I think it was more frustrating that it happened.
“I was very open with the training staff about everything and they did everything they could do on their end. I did everything I could do on mine. It’s just one of those things that it kind of happened. Like I said, there’s plenty of guys that have had two T.J.’s and are still pitching today. I’ve just got to do the time, do the rehab and get back out there.”
Ferguson revealed he had received treatment for a joint issue but regularly passed tests for the integrity of the ulnar collateral ligament before needing surgery. “Even in San Diego with their team doctor, I passed their team doctor’s test too,” he said.
“So I don’t know. Whatever. It is what it is. We’re here now.”
Ferguson bonding with Kahnle
Tommy Kahnle, signed to a two-year contract during the offseason, is also recovering from Tommy John surgery last year. “I think he’s about a month ahead of me. He’s almost two months, actually,” Ferguson said.
“We were talking about this [Tuesday], I think he said his was on Aug. 4, so he’s a little bit ahead of me.”
The two have their lockers next to one another and are spending plenty of time together in the training room. “Tommy’s a great guy,” Ferguson said. “He’s hilarious.”
Kahnle has also expressed a desire of returning from injury at some point this season.
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