JUPITER, Fla. -- It's been eight months since Navy Lieutenant-turned-Major League pitcher Mitch Harris went on to an operating table, expecting to undergo Tommy John surgery. He awoke to learn that his elbow had been repaired differently, and now Harris realizes how critical that was.
Instead of laboring through the normal year-plus recovery that comes after Tommy John surgery, Harris took the mound Monday morning to throw a session of live batting practice. If he recovers well, Harris will be cleared to pitch in Grapefruit League play this week.
"I look at this surgery as a career-saver, for sure," Harris said.