SAN FRANCISCO - When David Buchanan reported in May to the Phillies' facility in Clearwater, Fla., to rehab his severely sprained right ankle, the training staff assured him they would get him healthy and back to triple-A Lehigh Valley as quickly as possible.
But the 26-year-old righthander had another destination he was working toward.
"I was like, 'Look, man, I don't want to get healthy to go back to Lehigh,' " he recounted Friday afternoon at AT&T Park. " 'I want to get healthy and go back to Philly.' "
Once you get a taste of the sport's highest level, pitching in the minor leagues can be a humbling experience.