Indians’ pitcher Westbrook seeks happy anniversary

He wants to be back on the mound one year after ligament surgery.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Jake Westbrook has June 12 circled on his calendar.

That’s the date, exactly one year after the Cleveland Indians pitcher had ligament transplant surgery, that he hopes to be back on a major league mound.

“That’s my goal,” he said.

Pitching again in a major league game is what keeps Westbrook going as he endures a spring training that, for him, will last more than three months.

He reported to the Indians’ training complex on Jan. 25, about three weeks ahead of his teammates. While his teammates are preparing for a season that begins in about a month, Westbrook works by himself to strengthen his right arm so he can face hitters again.

When the major leaguers break camp, Westbrook will remain in Arizona and pitch in minor league exhibition games through the end of April. If all goes well, he then hopes to begin a rehabilitation assignment.

“Three months is a long time, but it’s something I have to do,” he said. “It’s frustrating. I want to be out there, but I know it’s going to take time. Hopefully down the road I’ll be able to help the team.”

Westbrook, 31, said he’s been encouraged by his progress.

“I’ve had some soreness, which is to be expected,” he said. “It’s not going to be pain-free. It’s a process I’m going to have to get used to.”

Westbrook, who won 44 games between 2004-2006, talked to other pitchers who have gone through the ligament surgery, including current teammate Carl Pavano and former Indian Paul Byrd.

“It’s been good feedback for me,” he said. “They’ve told me some of the things to watch out for. I’ve heard a lot of things, but people say you don’t really come back to where you were before for 11‚Ñ2 to two years.”

Westbrook threw off a flat mound from 60 feet, 6 inches on Sunday. The plan is to eventually move him to a 5-inch mound and then to a standard 10-inch mound.

“You feel good about every step you take,” he said.

Though Westbrook, who has a 63-64 career record, wants to return by the anniversary date of his surgery, he won’t view it as a failure if he doesn’t make it.

“I’m not going to rush it,” he said. “I’d like to be back by that date, but if it’s late June or early July, that’s OK. When I get back, I want to be back for good.”

Westbrook said the elbow bothered him for a little more than a year before he had the surgery. Last season, Westbrook made his first four starts, but strained a muscle in his side and went on the disabled list on April 22. He returned and started on May 28 against the Chicago White Sox, but finally had to shut it down. He finished the season 1-2 with a 3.12 ERA.

“It had been something I could deal with,” he said. “I was always able to get ready for my next start, but it reached the point last season when I wasn’t able to do that.”

Westbrook also had arthroscopic hip surgery on Sept. 5 to address another injury that had been bothering him for about a year. Recovering from two operations didn’t lead to good times in the fall and winter.

“Four- or five-hour rehab days are not fun,” Westbrook said.