Throwing again, Rainey aims for August return

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Tanner Rainey knows the date. It was Aug. 3 when he underwent Tommy John surgery, saw his 2022 season come to an early conclusion and realized his 2023 season would be significantly delayed.

As much as he’s tried not to look at specific dates throughout the long rehab program, the Nationals reliever knows the two most significant mileposts. At the six-month mark, he was allowed to begin throwing again. At the 12-month mark, he hopes to be allowed to begin pitching in a big league game again.

“It’s been tough, I will say,” Rainey remarked of the mental challenge of returning from elbow ligament replacement surgery. “But at the same time, I know I have six more months now. I’m six months through. I’ve got six more months to continue to prepare, whether it’s physically or mentally, to be better than I was.”

Rainey entered the 2022 season as the Nationals’ closer, and things went swimmingly for a while. He didn’t give up a run in his first eight appearances, going 3-for-3 in save situations. And as late as July 1, he sported a 2.88 ERA, 30 strikeouts in 25 innings and 11 saves in 14 opportunities.

But then his elbow ligament gave out shortly before the All-Star break. And after consultations with doctors, it was determined he needed Tommy John surgery.

It’s not an uncommon procedure for pitchers of Rainey’s generation, but the rehab process can be slow and lonely. He spent his winter at home in Louisiana, reporting at 7 a.m. five times a week for rehab, physical therapy and a workout that prohibited any type of throwing.

Rainey arrived in West Palm Beach early for spring training, finally reaching the six-month mark earlier this month and beginning a strictly regimented throwing program. Week one: Light tosses from 60 feet three times a week. Week two: Two sets of 25 throws from 60 feet. Week three, which began today: 75 throws from 60 feet.

Everything has gone according to plan so far, and Rainey will begin lengthening the distance of his throws and let loose a bit more in the coming weeks, building from 60 feet to 75 feet to 90 feet to 105 feet to 120 feet, spending three weeks at each step. Once he clears all those hurdles, he can step on a mound and begin pitching again.

When’s the last time Rainey went this long without playing actual baseball? He guesses he was only 10 or 11, before he began playing year-round travel ball.

“It’s been almost 20 years since I’ve gone probably more than three or four months without playing,” he said. “It’ll definitely be an adjustment.”

Because the process can be so monotonous, and because there’s always a fear of getting your hopes up only to have something go wrong, Rainey has tried really hard not to circle any dates on his calendar. Except for one: Aug. 3, 2023. That will be the 12-month mark.

Not every pitcher makes it all the way by that date. Some need a few more weeks, or even a few more months. But Rainey has no qualms about setting his target date for his full-fledged return to majors. At minimum, he expects to pitch for the Nationals this season.

“Oh, for sure,” he said. “It’ll definitely be second half. … August 3 would be exactly 12 months. My goal would be to be back at the 12-month mark.”