When Chris Lemorocco was on the hill for the Adelphi Panthers in 2014, there was always the sense that he would get the job done. The freshman did a terrific job of attacking the strike zone and also showing grit when runners were in scoring position.
He ranked among the team leaders in ERA, (4.14), games started (5), K/9 (7.7) and innings pitched (37.0).
This was as a freshman, so the expectation was that he would make the subtle improvements to take the next step and form a formidable trio with Jonathon Mulford and T.J. Santiago.
Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned.
Photo Credit: Adelphi Athletics
The hurler tore his UCL ligament shortly after the season and had ligament replacement surgery (Tommy John) on June 3, 2014.
The game plan was that he would not rush it and sit out for the duration of the 2015 season to rehab.
He and Head Coach Dom Scala agreed to take the “Matt Harvey Rehab” approach and take 18 months between games.
“It isn’t easy,” says the St. John the Baptist grad. “It’s very tedious–you do the same stuff every day. You would think it would be elbow exercises, but it’s all shoulder work,” he said.
Nevertheless, Lemorocco did the required work and he was medically cleared to resume game activity for the summer of 2015.
“I was feeling back to normal,” he said. “I was throwing my bullpens, rehabbing, throwing BP. I was back in the swing of things,” he said.
After all the work he had put in, he was ready to take the next step.
Finally the time had come for him to pitch in an actual game. This was during the first fall game in September–one-and-a-half-years after he last appeared in a game. He warmed up and felt no pain.
The first batter stepped in and, just like he envisioned during those months of rehab, he struck him out.
Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all, it seemed.
The second batter stepped in and worked the count to 2-1. He rocked back and delivered, but this time he felt something pop in his elbow.
“I thought that it was just the scar tissue breaking up, I remembered hearing that about Steve Matz,” he said.
That notion was quickly squashed when the same thing occurred on the next pitch–excruciating pain and a pitch that resulted in a nowhere-close-to-the-plate ball.
“Everything changed on one pitch.”
That was on a Saturday. Two days later he returned to his surgeon, Dr. Dines, who performed his first Tommy John. Upon receiving an MRI, it revealed a torn flexor (but not UCL) ligament.
Although the news was a relief, Lemorocco noted that “something didn’t sound right” about the diagnosis.
At the recommendation of his mother, he sought out a second opinion. Dr. Ahmad, New York Yankees team physician, ordered a second MRI. This one confirmed the original diagnosis of a torn flexor tendon, but with added bad news–a fully torn UCL ligament.
“I was heartbroken,” he said.
Staring at the prospect of a second Tommy John, he considered his options. He confided with his parents who “were on board for whatever”.
Ultimately, Chris chose to go for it. He had the surgery in October and has begun the rehab for the second time.
“I was not raised a quitter,” he said. The decision meant that he would undergo the surgery a second time.
Statistically speaking, 83 percent of Major League pitchers return to big league action after having one Tommy John surgery. Unbelievably, 97 percent return to at least see minor league action (Newsday).
That figure drops slightly to 78 percent if they undergo the procedure a second time.
Of course, these figures are based on professionally trained athletes who are under the direct supervision of the best doctors and training facilities in the world.
Regardless, Lemorocco is confident that his decision will result in returning to the hill in 2017.
His teammates are hoping for the best, as well.
“It’s a shame what happened to him,” said former Panthers closer Mike Cranston. “Always worked hard and was one of the better teammates I played with, honestly,” he added.
Dr. Ahmad has laid out his blueprint for a return and it is based upon taking it slow in the early stages but an accelerated process towards the end.
“I told my teammates I’ll be ready for 2017 for one last ride.”
Here’s to hoping the hard work pays off and Lemorocco can regain the form that made him a valuable piece of the Adelphi Panthers pitching staff.
