Ryan Madson has a ‘good day’ throwing, but still not pain-free.

Ryan MadsonAngels pitcher Ryan Madson threw long toss from 120 feet Monday, which the rehabbing right-hander declared a “good day.”

Still, Madson said he experienced pain in his surgically repaired right elbow when he pushed himself to about 80 percent effort.

“I don’t know what it is,” he said, “whether it’s the PRP injection or the strain.”

Madson said that he received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in the elbow a little more than three weeks ago, and that “after another week, the shot shouldn’t have any more effect as far as soreness.”

So the pain Madson has been feeling since his rehab was shut down in late May could merely be an expected side effect of the PRP shot. It could also be an indication that he’s got a ways to go before his next minor-league rehab assignment. That’s a necessary next step if Madson has any shot at pitching in a major-league game this season.

“When I’m pain free, 100 percent doing long toss, that’s when I can think about a game,” he said.

So why was Monday a good day?

Madson said it continued a “general incline” in his rehab with no major setbacks. He’ll try to push past 80 percent effort Tuesday and Wednesday in his long-toss program, then continue his pattern of resting for two or three days.

“I’m trying to stay right under the pain,” he said. “Today it was 80 percent.”

It’s been more than 14 months since Madson had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He progressed well enough this season to pitch one inning for the Single-A Inland Empire 66ers on May 13. A recurrence of pain then forced Madson to temporarily suspend his throwing program before starting over by throwing from flat ground.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit Tumblr Email

This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged by J.P. Hoornstra. Bookmark the permalink.

About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.