PHOENIX — All-Star left-hander Patrick Corbin appears to be right on schedule to join the Arizona Diamondbacks in early June.
Corbin threw 54 pitches in an extended spring training game at the Diamondbacks’ spring training facility on Monday, and he is expected to make two more appearances in extended spring before one, possibly two rehab starts. He has not pitched since his All-Star 2013 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late March, 2014.
“Three weeks right now seems like nothing to be back,” said Corbin, who was 14-8 with a 3.41 ERA in 2013, his first full season in the starting rotation after winning a job in spring.
The D-backs’ starters ranked in the bottom half of the National League with a 4.09 ERA through 31 games, and there would seem to be room for Corbin when he is ready. Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson is 1-3 with a 5.35 ERA entering Wednesday’s start, and right-hander Josh Collmenter is 3-4 with a 5.27 ERA after giving up a career-high nine runs to Washington on Monday.
Corbin touched 95 mph with fastball in the first inning Monday and sat at 92-94 mph, a tick above when he was in 2013, according to FanGraphs. Corbin recorded five strikeouts, four with well-located fastballs and one on a slider. He gave up two runs and four hits.
“Like he never left,” Harkey said. “Basically what I am looking for is fastball command, his fastball command today was outstanding. His slider is still a work in progress, but that is usually the last thing that comes. It’s still pretty good, but to get it back to wipe out, where it was two years ago, it takes time. His changeup was good.”
Occasional tenderness remains in the elbow, Corbin said, but it is almost to the point where he does not notice.
“There is very little (pain) in there, and it seems to go away when I throw,” Corbin said. “I still feel little aches and pains there. The one thing is, the recovery time from my bullpen (sessions between starts) is taking a little bit longer, just the ligaments getting used to it. When it comes around when I’m going to pitch, everything feels great. Feel strong. Just excited to get to extend pitches and innings.”