Spring Training Report - Phil Humber

Philip Humber has not seen any statistical proof, but he has heard from others in the game that a pitcher coming off Tommy John elbow surgery performs best in his second year after the surgery. From his still-limited perspective, the Mets' right-hander can believe it. "The further I get from surgery, the better I feel throwing," Humber said at the Mets camp here. "The ball comes out of my hand stronger, with more feel and control." If that is the case, Humber, bidding for a spot in the Mets' rotation, could be dynamite in 2007.


He had Tommy John surgery on July 19, 2005. Returning to the Minors on June 22 of last year, he could do little wrong the rest of the season. At Class A Advanced St. Lucie, he was 3-1 with a 2.37 earned run average, striking out 36 batters in 38 innings. At Double-A Binghamton, he went 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA, with 36 strikeouts in 34.1 innings. As a reward for his rapid recovery, the Mets then promoted him to the parent club in September. No problem. In a 27-day taste of the Majors he showed no awe of the opposition, pitching two scoreless, hitless innings.

"It was a great experience," Humber, 24, said of his Major League cameo. "I'll never forget my first time out there. My parents were in the stands, my girlfriend. It felt pretty special." He then paused, before adding, "But there is no guarantee I'll get back up there." There is no guarantee, but Humber, the third pick overall in the 2004 first year players draft, is pretty close to a lock to return. If he doesn't make the Mets' rotation out of Spring Training, chances are strong that he will be promoted at some stage of the season.