SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.–As Johnny Cueto sat in front of his locker Thursday, the Giants pitcher rolled up a sock and began flipping it in the air with his right hand.
Six months ago, Cueto couldn’t do that. Six months from now, Cueto hopes his surgically repaired right elbow will allow him to return to a major league mound.
The recovery process from Tommy John surgery is grueling, tiresome and often lonely. Cueto’s is no exception.
“Right now I feel like I’m ready but I know I’m not,” Cueto said through Spanish-language translator Erwin Higueros. “My frustration was at the beginning when I couldn’t move the arm to take a shower and everything.