Sammy Solis "on schedule" as throwing program begins following Tommy John surgery

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

October 19, 2012, 10:50am

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Left-hander Sammy Solis, who underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in March 2012, is well into his throwing program as he recovers from the injury. Solis was in Florida last month while the instructional league competition took place, according to a Nats source, who said Solis "threw the ball really well and is in good shape." The rehab process is well under way for the left-hander, and Solis is on schedule "as we hoped," the source added. "(Solis) is a ways away from pitching in games, but he is throwing sidelines and looks great". This is positive news for Solis, who appears to be on schedule to be healthy for participation in 2013 spring training. If everything goes well and Solis gets back on the mound for games in spring, he would then be on an innings limit similar to the plan the franchise had in place for Jordan Zimmermann, Stephen Strasburg, Alex Meyer (non-injury) and others. Solis last pitched for high Single-A Potomac in 2011, going 6-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 56 1/3 innings in 10 starts. He had 53 strikeouts and only 11 walks. If Solis, a second-round pick in the 2010 draft, can return to his pre-injury form, I would expect him to pitch in Double-A at some time in 2013.