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SAN DIEGO – Tyler Wells would have traveled anywhere to finally pitch in a major league game again. The schedule didn’t matter. He waited 17 months. Just hand him the ball and get out of his way.
But if Wells could concoct the ideal scenario, tonight’s comeback start against the Padres at Petco Park might be it.
“You know,” he said, “getting to do it here in Southern California where a lot of my family lives, having my wife (Melissa) and daughter (Ava Faye) with us now, too, it’s pretty special.”
Wells underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in June 2024 and being a new father was a joyous distraction for him. He’d rehab at the Sarasota complex and go home to Melissa and their baby, who arrived in March.
“I mean, I’m just super excited and thankful,” he said. “During this whole process, with her being born and obviously the relationship that me and my wife have continued to grow, it’s just I think a testament to not just the work that I was able to put in the training room and on the field, but also away from the game. It just makes it that much more special.
“I don’t really know of another word to put it, but ‘special’ is definitely the only word that comes to mind.”
There’s also got to be some relief in making a start.
Wells underwent Tommy John surgery in the minors, before the Orioles selected him in the 2020 Rule 5 draft. He knows as well as anyone the mental grind that can create a more daunting challenge than the physical part.
“It was a little bit easier this time around because I understood what to expect, but at the same time, too, so much has changed and so much can change,” he said. “It’s really just about continually focusing on myself and continually being adaptable in whatever the situation is, whether it’s the clubhouse, whether it’s with how the team is doing, whatever it may end up being. I’m just trying to continue to be a positive light in all of it.”
The changes that Wells references can apply to family and team.
“I mean, I guess you could say both,” he said. “Obviously, this year isn’t exactly what we anticipated. It’s been tough, but at the same time, too, it’s given a lot of guys a lot of really good opportunities.
“In my personal life, as well, like being a dad, you know it was the first year that me and my wife were married and immediately it’s like all of a sudden you’ve got a lot of, I want to say adversity, but in a way I feel like there are other words out there that could describe it. It was a lot of learning, a lot of adapting, a lot of growing. I think that ultimately at the end of the day, it’s going to make me a better player, better teammate and better pitcher. But you know most importantly, a better husband and dad.”
More reflections are coming at some point. Wells will be reinstated today from the 60-day injured list, with a pitcher subtracted from the active roster and a corresponding move also needed on the 40-man. He’s going to contemplate the long road traveled again, how it makes him stronger, and how he’s blessed with a support system that keeps him moving forward after another setback.
He just isn’t sure when it’s going to strike.
“Yeah, I definitely think that there will be that moment, whether that’s before or after, but you know, at the end of the day I’ve got a job to do and that’s the one thing I haven’t taken away as far as my mindset goes,” he said.
“You know, even though (tonight) is going to be pretty special in that way, there’s still a job to do. And you know, I don’t know when that time will be. It could be a couple days after, it could be right after, it could be before. I have no idea. But sometimes I just kind of take a step back, it just kind of hits you all at once.”
Wells can’t let the moment overwhelm him and become a distraction. He’s envisioned this night while rehabbing, but also vowed to stay in the present. To be where your feet are, as players say.
“It was kind of like a back and forth,” he said. “It’s like you don’t want to overhype yourself because you understand that once you go out there, there’s a lot of adrenaline going, so you want to make sure it’s kind of controlled chaos in your brain. But at the same time, too, I’ve thought about it in a very exciting way and just being able to kind of build that anticipation, for sure.
“It’s funny because I’ve sat out there and I’ve thought about it a lot of nights, just getting back here. Even like the day I had surgery, I was already thinking about how it’s going to end up being. It’s definitely kind of like, man, that was a long time ago and a lot has changed since then. I’m just really looking forward to getting the opportunity to go back out there and show everyone what I’ve got.”
Kyle Bradish is doing the same after his elbow surgery in June 2024, making his second start last night. They’ve become brothers in repaired arms.
“I’m real excited,” Bradish said. “I think he’s going to come out and throw the ball well. He’s had a long rehab journey, just like me, and being able to go through it, I’ll be excited to watch.”
