Swanson begins throwing

Left-handed pitcher Glenn Swanson had his 2007 season cut short, as he underwent Tommy John surgery in late-June. Lone Star Dugout recently caught up with the 24-year-old for a question-and-answer session.

Left-handed pitcher Glenn Swanson had his first full professional season cut short after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late-June. The 24-year-old hurler made seven starts with Single-A Clinton this past summer, going 6-1 with a 2.93 earned run average. He then earned a promotion to High-A Bakersfield, where he posted a 1-4 record with a 4.87 ERA.

Since going under the knife, the UC Irvine product has been working with a rehab program at the Rangers’ minor league complex in Surprise, Ariz. Lone Star Dugout recently caught up with the prospect for a question-and-answer session.

Jason Cole: How is your rehab going so far?

Glenn Swanson: It’s going great. The biggest thing is that I have had no setbacks so far. That’s kind of the big gauge. You never really get too far ahead of the whole thing – you just kind of fall behind. That’s what I’m trying not to do and I haven’t so far. It has been going well.

Cole: What point are you currently at in your rehab program?

Swanson: I just started throwing from 75 feet. This is my first week there. I’m pretty much lifting weights. It’s kind of business as usual, other than the throwing aspect of it. There are certain lifts that I can’t do.

Cole: Now that you’ve begun throwing again, how does your arm feel?

Swanson: That feeling is great. I’ve been playing with pain for quite some time now, so to throw without any pain, it’s kind of awkward actually. But it feels great and it’s a good feeling. I haven’t felt any pain or really any discomfort since I began throwing again.

Cole: How often are you throwing right now?

Swanson: It’s a three day per week program – Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

Cole: Will that schedule pick up once you continue to build up your arm strength?

Swanson: Yes. I think once you get to throwing from the 100 foot range, that’s when you start throwing more on a daily basis.

Cole: When are you expecting to start throwing off a mound again?

Swanson: Off of a mound, I believe it’s eight months. I’m thinking it’ll be sometime towards the end of February, early March.

Cole: So I guess it’s safe to say that you’ll be doing some rehab at extended spring training?

Swanson: Yes. If nothing else then I will make some rehab starts in extended or in the Arizona League. The ultimate goal is to get out of there, but I’ve definitely got to make some starts there, let the trainers see me, and see how I’ve responded.

Cole: What is your estimated timetable to be back at 100 percent right now?

Swanson: I’m going to be pitching in games officially on June 26th. I would hope that I will be able to get out and actually go play with an affiliate within three or four weeks.

Cole: Do you have any expectations as far as where you will go once that happens?

Swanson: I’m just going to kind of see what happens. It’s like I’m throwing with a new arm, so all the experience I’ve had kind of goes out the window. I’ve kind of got to build it back up from the start. Anywhere I start, I’ll be happy just to be pitching again.