Tip Fairchild is on his way back. Exactly one year after his surgery, he is making rehab starts in extended spring training and should be assigned to a team very soon if things continue to go well. Two Maine newspapers are covering his rehab closely.
I’m pretty close to 100 percent,” Fairchild said Tuesday. “I’m just getting the last bit of velocity back.”
Fairchild’s fastball is currently in the high 80s, down a couple of miles an hour from two years ago when he posted 14 wins on three Houston minor league teams. A more important number is the 80 pitches he expects to throw Saturday.
“Now I’m plugged into extended rehab starts and pitched against the Braves today with a lot of rehab guys and guys going to short season leagues,” he said. “Today [Friday] I threw three innings in a start and my pitch count was 50. I gave up one hit in the first with five Ks.
“I’m still finding my location and the only thing I’m fighting is building up my arm strength and finding my fastball, but my breaking ball and changeup were both back.”….
“I don’t know if they’ll send me for any more rehab starts, maybe in Salem. I guess it depends on who has an opening in the rotation,” he said. “Their goal is to keep me healthy and keep me in Double-A.”
Fairchild said the best advice he got came from Astros starter Brandon Backe, who had similar surgery in 2006.
“He’s really helped me as far as knowing what to expect,” he said. “The last advice he gave me was don’t try to make a name for myself, just get my work in and be healthy and work toward a good August.”
He’s been throwing 65 pitches his last couple of outings, against major and minor leaguers on rehab assignments and those waiting to be sent to short-season Single A ball.
“I should be able to make (five-inning) starts after (Saturday),” Fairchild said. “The last few starts I’ve had, I haven’t thought about my elbow at all. Now it’s just a matter of getting my shoulder ready for the season.”
Koby Clemens was tracked down by the New York Daily News to talk about how he is handling the controversy surrounding his dad, Roger. Daddy Dearest is how they titled the article.
“There’s a lot of people that you think are your real friends. As it’s gone further and further there aren’t that many people pulling for my dad anymore, which really hurts. There’s a lot of people that have done tons and tons of worse stuff, including the man that is against him.”