SURPRISE, Ariz.
The rehab process is in its 12th month, the final furlongs of a tedious and mind-numbing recovery. One year ago, Tim Collins’ left elbow blew out in the opening weeks of spring training. The damage in his ulnar collateral ligament necessitated surgery. His 2015 season was over in early March.
As Collins, a left-handed reliever, rehabbed in Kansas City during the year, turning witness to a world championship, he set a simple goal for his future. When the 2016 season began, he wanted his left arm healthy enough to make a team.
“My approach through the whole rehab process was to come into spring training to make a team,” Collins said.