Marcum waits for green light to pitch

Shaun Marcum was on his way to a breakout season for the Toronto Blue Jays last year.

Until his right elbow stopped cooperating.

For now, the 27-year-old right-hander is with the 51s, waiting to hear when he'll pitch again. The answer could be this week or it could be next season.

Marcum, a 5-foot-10-inch, 185-pounder, is rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery to replace a ligament in his pitching elbow.

"I'm just trying to stay positive, knowing that hopefully I can get up there and pitch again this year, but if I don't, it's not the end of the world," Marcum said Saturday before the 51s' 8-7 victory over Salt Lake at Cashman Field. "I just have to take the rehab process slowly enough so that I don't have to go through this again next year."

Marcum, who last season was 9-7 with a 3.39 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 151 innings for the Blue Jays, went on the disabled list in June, but returned to the rotation for two months before having surgery Sept. 30.

He started throwing off flat ground in spring training and within seven months of the surgery was throwing off a mound.

For many pitchers, recovery from the surgery takes 12 to 18 months. Marcum is 10 months removed from surgery, and were it not for back spasms he experienced in his only outing for the 51s on July 26, he might not be far from returning to the major leagues.

Marcum threw 34 pitches in two innings of what was supposed to be an 80-pitch outing before leaving the game.

"He's come a long way. He's way, way ahead of schedule," Las Vegas pitching coach Dave LaRoche said. "His arm strength isn't anywhere near where it could be yet, but he can go out and compete."

Marcum made two starts each for Dunedin of the Florida State League and New Hampshire of the Eastern League before joining the 51s.

With the recent setback, it hasn't been determined if he'll throw again this season. The Blue Jays might decide to have him rest instead of trying too hard to get back.

Toronto, fourth in the American League East, isn't likely to be in the hunt for a playoff spot.

"We're waiting to hear back from our trainers and the front office staff up there," Marcum said. "There's no point in rushing back now and taking a chance on being hurt.

"Every player wants to play, but you have to be smart about it. You don't want to go out there and injure yourself trying to be a hero for no reason."

The Blue Jays might opt to have a potentially fully healthy Marcum join a staff that still could include ace Roy Halladay next season.

"He knows how to pitch," LaRoche said of Marcum. "He works fast and throws strikes. He changes speeds well. Other than having real superstar stuff, all the rest of the package is there."

And waiting to be put on display again.

"There's no doubt in my mind that if I'm not better than what I was, I'll at least be where I was," Marcum said. "I'll bust my butt this winter to make sure I get there."