Solis encouraged by throwing sessions, but knows clock is ticking

MIAMI - Left-hander Sammy Solis said he is progressing in his throwing program as he looks to recover from left shoulder inflammation that has had him on the shelf since mid-August.

"We are kind of taking it day-by-day based on how it is feeling," Solis said. "The inflammation is pretty much knocked out. But strengthening-wise and maintaining the area and make sure it is stable enough to get back off the mound is No. 1 right now."

Solis said he is not throwing game-type pitches like he would at his normal 95 mph velocity. These long toss sessions are less intensive and more about stretching out his arm each day.

"I am throwing every day but obviously not any major throwing, like 30 throws at 150 feet," Solis said. "We are not there because that's a lot to progress straight after being off a month, let's just hop right into long toss. We're going through a throwing program so that's kind of where we are at right now. It feels good though. It feels good. It's encouraging.

"Long toss, you get some air under it and mostly it's about finding that extension with your arm because that's the major concern is once you get off the mound it's an extra couple of inches that you get out there so it's a lot more stress on the arm. So right now making sure that I can handle it and it feels good. So far, it does."

Similar to the rest time a starter has after laboring for 100-plus pitches, Solis has to monitor the days after he throws to make sure the soreness is not more than just what he might feel after pitching in a real game.

"It's not really getting sore too much right now so I'm definitely encouraged and I feel strong," Solis said. "I'm hoping it's only a matter of time before I'm back on the mound facing hitters again."

But for Solis it has to be tough to see the calendar turn to September 19, which a little less than two weeks remaining in the regular season.

"Window is getting smaller," Solis acknowledged.

Is he nervous he will be able to get back healthy enough for this team and help in the postseason?

"I wouldn't say nervous, but just anxious," Solis said. "I'm biting at the bit kind of right now to get off the mound and face some hitters but I have to be safe because taking a month off my arm kind of shut down and then you come back. You can't just hop off the mound again. It takes sometime. That's kind of where we're at right now."

Baker has made a point all season to have rehabbing players with the team on road trips. This trip is a little bit different because it's coming down to the end of the season but Solis says it means a lot to him to be able to rehab from his left shoulder injury while with the team and training staff on this trip.

"Yeah, it's great," Solis said. "There's nothing worse than sitting in D.C. and watching the games on T.V. That's no fun. You want to be around the guys, especially in this atmosphere where you're making the push to clinch the division. It's always good to be around them.

"Obviously the encouragement helps too. You got guys everyday asking how are you feeling and they're anxious for how you're feeling as well. It's just nice to be around the guys again."