Anderson remains confident during rehabilitation
Amid a lengthy recovery from left knee surgery, Rockies southpaw Tyler Anderson is hungry to prove he can return as an effective piece of the Colorado rotation in 2020.
“With going to the playoffs the last couple years, I want to be back and be a part of that again,” Anderson said. “That desire and drive is a lot stronger than any doubt would ever be. I believe I can come back and be as good as I have been before.”
Anderson, 29, had surgery on June 11 to correct a chondral defect in his left knee. The complicated surgery required him to be patient in a recovery that included eight weeks on crutches.
“I’ve talked to some guys who have had this injury, and the number one thing I’ve heard is that you don’t want to rush back,” Anderson said. “I’ve always been somebody who tries to push, push, push, and so this time I’ve taken a step back and taken my time.”
The southpaw recently bought a house in Scottsdale so he can be close to the Salt River facility this offseason, where he’ll continue to rehabilitate and train. Anderson has been ramping up moderate activity over the past five weeks, including light squatting, biking and general hip strengthening.
He aims to start throwing again sometime in the next month or two, with the hope of being on the mound come time for the Cactus League.
“I would love to be pitching in games in spring and be ready to go,” Anderson said. “I don’t think that’s too outside of a chance. That’s possible, but I just have to progress incrementally and see how each step of the rehab process goes.”
Anderson admitted that knee pain, which he has battled throughout his career, played a role in his 11.76 ERA through five starts this season before he was optioned to Triple-a Albuquerque on May 4. He never ended up pitching for the Isotopes.
“I had been pitching through knee pain since my last knee surgery, so it’s something I had gotten used to,” Anderson said. “But I had passed the threshold to where it was bothering me a lot more off the field, too … So if I was having a hard time walking, it probably had a bit of an effect on the field, too.”
In his personal life, this summer Anderson’s uncle, whom he was really close to, passed away from cancer. He said even with his own health adversity, he was grateful to be around his family during the difficult time.
“I was able to see him before that, and see my family in a situation where I normally couldn’t have been there,” Anderson said. “It’s terrible to not be pitching, but that was a silver lining to be with my family for that.”
Anderson made $2.63 million this year and is under club control through the 2021 season. He has a 4.69 ERA in 73 big-league games after being drafted in the first round (20th overall) in 2011 out of the University of Oregon.
Freeland’s progression. Lefthander Kyle Freeland, sidelined by a groin strain since August 22, threw another bullpen on Saturday as he continues to make his way back. Manager Bud Black reiterated Freeland is determined to pitch again this season, with the next step being a live simulated session. “He threw all his pitches with great effort and intensity today, so he’s getting closer to a game … He wants to come back.” Freeland is 3-11 with a 6.98 ERA in 20 starts this year.