Tommy John surgery allows Martens to return to the mound
After missing his entire sophomore season due to ulnar-collateral ligament surgery — also known as Tommy John surgery — right-handed pitcher Sean Martens has pitched in five games this year for the Central Michigan baseball team.
On March 10, however, Martens felt some pain in his arm once again and learned the nerve fell out of the sling that was used to connect his elbow. The Clarkston native is currently on pills used to rejuvenate the nerve and hopes to return to the mound soon.
Martens has pitched six innings in relief, striking out four batters and allowing 10 earned runs.
Central Michigan Life caught with Martens to talked about his experience coming back from the injury.
Q: How did it feel when you first got back on the mound this season?
A: It felt a ton better just to be out there and competing again. Things weren’t quite where I wanted them to be from a pitching standpoint, but mentally it was nice just being out there again.
Q: What was going through your mind when you took the field?
A: I wasn’t really that nervous. But I had a ton of adrenaline. I wasn’t really used to that adrenaline feeling again. But it was nice to have it.
Q: What was it like last year having to sit out an entire season and go through the recovery process?
A: It was brutal. It was probably one of the worst times of my life. As long as I have played baseball, being forced to sit there and watch and not being able to play is pretty rough.
Q: You watched games from the press box last year. What is it like to be back in the dugout with your teammates?
A: It’s great. There’s a lot more energy down there than sitting in the press box. You can interact a lot more and communicate more. It is just a lot more fun during games.
Q: Freshman pitcher Tyler Hankins has had a lot of success to start his career. He missed his senior year of high school to a torn ACL. What advice did you give him on coming back from an injury?
A: I told him you have to listen to your body. You have a timetable that the surgeon gave you and coaches gave you so you have to follow that. If something is bothering you, make sure you tell the coaches. Don’t push through it because it is your career.
Q: There have been several other freshmen that have pitched this year. What do you think of the pitching staff as a group?
A: I think the maturity level the past two weeks has gone up a lot. Guys are learning how to play at this level and doing some good things. I think it is going to be huge for us.
Q: Where do you see this team down the road? Competing for a MAC Championship?
A: No doubt. Even though we are young, we have the talent to do it.
Q: How do you think this team is different from last year’s group?
A: I would say this is just a really tight-knit group. There is a lot more trust between the guys this year than last year, so I think that plays a big part in it.
