[C.C. HOOKS] Brandon Backe

Not bad for a first outing after not pitching for a year. I'd rather have an injured Backe than 3/5 of our rotation right now.

 

Glad to see backe startin his comeback. We desperately need new blood in our startin pitchin. Come back to us full force soon

 

I really hope he's not another Carlos Hernandez or even Wade Miller. The guy's already proven he's a clutch pitcher in the playoffs. We just need to see what he can due over the course of a full year. Maybe we should give him bullpen duty the rest of the year to see if he stays healthy when throwing his hardest. Or maybe he could be our next closer instead if it keeps him healthy. I know we need a starter more, but maybe it's just not meant to be.

 

guess who's back...

back again...

 

Carlos Hernandez had a torn rotator cuff, and Wade Miller had mechanics that were just begging for a shoulder injury (which he got, and never has recovered from).

Backe blew out his elbow... and had it fixed. Its a procedure that FIXES the problem, without hindering future performance or return to your previous abilities. Its why James Andrews MD is a gazillionaire... he's the best at performing this procedure and ensuring the least amount of complications.

Now, having a pitcher go back to his pre-injury level is great... but Backe's pre-injury level was that of an mediocre starting pitcher, who has elevated his game in the playoffs.

Granted, he's still learning how to be a pitcher (given his late conversion to the mound), and may turn out to be a very reliable cog in the rotation... but it isn't the tragedy that befell Hernandez and Miller (two exceptional arms that were ruined by either poor mechanics, or crappy luck).

 

backe's back! call a friend!

 

You bring up some good points. I would just hate to see us lose another pitcher. We knew Miller's arm was toast when he turned into a FA and wisely didn't resign him. The whole league knew somehow as well. But it was still nice to see somebody pushing Oswalt, those 2 fed off eachother.

But if it was his mechanics, how come we didn't try and fix them during all that time? Hernandez had to be just a case of bad luck. I never really studied the guy's mechanics in depth, but he looked pretty fluent on the mound. His mechanics had to be sound for that beautiful curveball of his.

I'd still like to pitch Backe in the bullpen this year. We have no need for him to start now. If anything, he can work on his pitches w/o worrying about pitch counts and his record, while being given more than enough time to come back fully healthy before pitching full games.

 

They did... but but both sides have to be willing to admit a change needs to be made. Wade obviously didn't want to mess with what was working for him (and was going to lead to a big payday). The Astros (and other clubs) KNEW it was just a matter of time.

Thus, instead of offering him the hefty arbitration raise, the Astros let him go.

It works both ways. He really won't re-injure the elbow anymore... its fixed (it will, however, get sore more often and faster). The things he could hurt are his confidence/mental game by going out there and starting games when he's not ready. I know Smoltz hated being in the bullpen... and ultimately felt starting was best for his surgically repaired elbow.

Either way (starting or bullpen), he likely won't be fully recovered/capable of pitching consistently till some time next year.