I don't know if technically this should be called his first full season back after TJ. He had the surgery way back in June 2014. They already slow paced his recovery and conservatively held him back in 2016 (probably his real "first full season back"). At some point you can't lean on that excuse anymore.
Manage his innings and expectations and I think you can do whatever you want with him this season.
Romero had knee surgery as well after his Tommy John, so that pushed him back even further. To start 2016, Romero was throwing at the end of spring training/beginning of extended spring training ball but no more than 20-30 pitches per outing for a long period before joining up with Cedar Rapids at the end of May. He was hitting 98 mph back then but was on a strict pitch count much as he has been since then. The goal is still building back up arm strength, El Toro has logged 100 pitches once this year (and once since coming back from TJ), although he does have 8 starts of 90 or more pitches.
Edited by Bob Sacamento, 18 July 2017 - 08:52 AM.