FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tyler Thornburg’s time with the Red Sox hasn’t exactly gone as Dave Dombrowski had hoped after he acquired the righty reliever prior to the 2017 season. Thornburg was sidelined for the year after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and didn't pitch a single inning.
"I don’t think there was really too much I could change with that," Thornburg told The Standard-Times. "I think for the most part I’m going to [...]
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tyler Thornburg’s time with the Red Sox hasn’t exactly gone as Dave Dombrowski had hoped after he acquired the righty reliever prior to the 2017 season. Thornburg was sidelined for the year after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and didn't pitch a single inning.
“I don’t think there was really too much I could change with that,” Thornburg told The Standard-Times. “I think for the most part I’m going to find out things this offseason to do for upcoming spring trainings really. Find out how my arm’s going to bounce back in spring training. How many outings, how bullpens, how (my arm is) going to feel, because I’m sure it’s going to be a heck of a lot different than it was bouncing back before.”
Thornburg has thrown off the mound, gaining strength each time he throws. He expressed how he has not, “had any setbacks to this point and I hope to keep it that way,” knocking on wood as he said it.
This is a foreign experience for Thornburg. Not just the uniqueness of the injury and the rehab process, but also having to prove himself to a new coaching staff. Only bench coach Ron Roenicke, who managed Thornburg in Milwaukee from 2012 through the first 25 games of 2015, has a background with him.
“They’re a new staff for everybody,” Thornburg said. “But they’ve been great. Alex (Cora) has been awesome. I talked to him when I went up to Boston for a couple of checks during the rehab stages. Just talked to him a little bit, got to know him a little bit earlier than just getting down here and meeting him.
“It’s been pretty easy as far as the coaches and changes. They’ve been great so far. It really is (a big help). Having good coaches who you’re comfortable talking with and understand what you’re going through is pretty huge.”
That has allowed Thornburg to pace himself throughout the process, ensuring he’ll be healthy for the long haul. Instead of rushing, he’s able to let the process run its course with the hope he’ll avoid further problems down the road.
“You obviously want to impress always,” he said. “But coming in this year, I know that I’m not going to be able to give it too much right at the beginning just because it’s part of the rehab process. So it’s not like I’m trying to come right out of the chute or anything.”
When he does return, Thornburg could become the eighth-inning set-up man. That’s what he was expected to be when Boston traded for him. But with Carson Smith back from an injury of his own and Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes available for the eighth or seventh innings, Thornburg doesn’t know what his role will look like once he’s available.
“I don’t think anybody really knows that exact point I’m going to be back,” he said. “If I come back a couple of weeks into the season or whatever it may be, honestly I don’t think there’s really any telling, ‘hey, you’re going to be throwing the eighth inning,’ or ‘hey you’re going to be in this role at first.’
“If some guys are throwing good, then I expect them to be one of those late-inning guys at the beginning. But I’m confident, I know who I am. I know where I’m going to be when I’m healthy. Not really worried about that right now.”
Whatever that role ends up being, Thornburg’s comfortable with it. As much as he’d prefer to throw in late, high-leverage situations, he seems comfortable with however Cora decides to use him.
“I doubt I’ll be a multiple-inning guy right now. But I also know why I was brought over here and I know that I’m going to be that guy or better this year. I know when I’m healthy where I’m going to be and how I can help this team. Whatever role that’s in, I’m expecting to put up zeroes in those innings.