The progress continues for Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin as he works his way back from Tommy John Surgery which he sustained before the start of the 2014 season.
On Monday morning, he threw four innings of an extended spring training game in front of Manager Chip Hale and Pitching Coach Mike Harkey. In the outing, he gave up four hits, two runs, walked one and struck out five. His max for the day was 50 pitches and everything continues to be positive.
“Four innings today, got extended and my arm felt better and better as we went along,” said Corbin after his start. “Fast ball command felt really good today. Better than last outing. I just continue to improve every time I go out there and my arm feels better and better.”
“I couldn’t be happier,” mentioned D-Backs pitching coach Mike Harkey. “Every time he gets out of there healthy it’s a plus. It’s like he never left and that’s basically what I’m looking for. His fast ball command, his fastball command today was outstanding.”
Everything seems to be right on schedule for Corbin who is hoping to return to the rotation next month. But there is still areas that need to improve both from his arm’s health as well as his breaking/off-speed pitches.
“The one thing is my recovery time for my bullpen is taking a little bit longer,” explained Corbin. “It’s just the ligaments getting used to it. But, when it comes around the fifth day or six day when I am going to pitch, everything feels great and feel strong.”
“His slider is still a work in progress but that is normally the last thing that comes,” added Harkey. “But his change up is good and every thing else is great.”
The hope for Corbin that this was going to be his last outing before being sent to Visalia to begin his rehab assignment. Harkey however explained there still might be another start or two that they can monitor in town before they send him off.
“He will stay here until he is up to 100 pitches,” stated Harkey. “This way we can control his 100 pitches because we can roll them over here. Everything we do has been planned out for a year so we are going to make sure to stay the course.”
Corbin mentions that “Three weeks seems like nothing now to be back.”
