San Diego Padres Expect Lefty To Be Ready For Season

He posted back-to-back seasons with an ERA under 2.00 out of the San Diego Padres' bullpen in 2020 & 2021. But flexor-tendon surgery shut down Drew Pomeranz for the entire 2022 season. The Padres are now expecting that he'll be ready for Opening Day 2023.

The 34-year-old was hoping to be back in the second half of 2022, but the recovery didn't go quite as planned, and the lefty and the team had to recalibrate their hopes for 2023.

Manager Bob Melvin is still going to take it slow with Pomeranz this spring, but believes he's on track to open the season on schedule.

From @sdutKevinAcee: The Padres expect Drew Pomeranz to be ready for Opening Day. According to Bob Melvin, he is probably going to have some restrictions on him at the start of spring training pic.twitter.com/rfDbCJrAt3
— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) February 13, 2023

"I wouldn't say he's on a program where he's completely a 'go' like everybody else," Melvin said. "That could happen at some point in time early in camp. There's still probably some restrictions on him. But once we get to games, hopefully he's in a place where he's just trying to get ready for a season."

Pomeranz appeared in 20 games in the shortened 2020 season, and posted a 1.45 ERA while striking out a rousing 14 batters per nine. 2021 was equally strong, with a 1.75 ERA in 25.2 innings. But then came the elbow problems, which has led us to this point.

Josh Hader and Robert Suarez already hold down the back end of the Padres' bullpen, so Pomeranz won't have to do too much upon his return. But if he can be anywhere close to his 2020/21 self, the Friars are looking plenty solid in the 'pen.

Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports