Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey is continuing his return from an elbow strain, and according to the Mercury News, he will throw a simulated game on Tuesday. Bailey has already thrown a bit while recovering, but not in a simulated game setting.
Andrew Bailey To Throw Simulated Game Tuesday
Pitching injuries are usually things you find out about after the fact -- a pitcher calls a trainer out to the mound, they both walk off, and then there’s news of an MRI the next day. In Bailey’s case, though, he was already experiencing some elbow tightness early in the Cactus League, and then he crumpled to the ground and held his elbow after throwing a pitch. That prologue usually doesn’t precede a happy story.
After a visit to Dr. James Andrews, though, there was some good news, and it looks like Bailey is on track to rejoin the A's at some point in the first half of this season. Brian Fuentes has picked up most of the saves in Bailey's absence, and he's been steady except for a couple of hiccups. Further, Oakland's 2.70 relief ERA ranks second in the American League. So while the A's will obviously welcome Bailey back when he's ready, to this point he's not been missed much.
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