Feltner appreciates support during recovery process
DENVER — Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner was touched by the fast messages of assist he obtained from teammates on May 14 — the evening he sustained a concussion and a fractured cranium after being hit with a line drive in a recreation towards the Phillies at Coors Field.
“I’d like to say it’s expected, knowing the guys that are in there,” Feltner mentioned on Friday afternoon, talking to the media for the primary time because the harm.
“But overwhelming. It was great to have that support from the teammates, especially that night. It’s super special.”
And whereas coping with the ache, dizziness, affected listening to and fear, Feltner discovered time to really feel for the Phillies’ Nick Castellano, whose liner struck Feltner on the best aspect of the top, above the ear.
“We haven’t communicated, but he sent me a little letter and a nice little gift, so that was part of [the support I have received],” Feltner said. “For me, it was part of the process. I felt bad for him, because I saw how upset he was. But it’s part of the game.”
Feltner has been across the membership on and off for a number of days. He took a small restoration step on Thursday with balancing workouts. The right-hander mentioned he’s limiting tv and display screen time, and feels most snug in open areas.
His mother and father, Laura and Derek, arrived the day after the harm, and have remained in Denver with him.
All are involved about restoration, quite than timelines.
“There isn’t a set program, like a Tommy John [surgery] program or anything like that,” Rockies Major League rehabilitation coordinator Scott Murayama mentioned. “We don’t have any sort of timelines at the moment.
“We take steps to be sure that the signs resolve, be sure that the fracture heals, then slowly begin again into actions.”
Feltner was discharged from a neighborhood hospital a day after the harm, which didn’t require surgical procedure.
“With concussions nowadays, it’s different than it used to be,” Murayama mentioned. “You don’t keep them isolated or keep them in a dark room. You get them moving and active to a certain extent as soon as possible to help them take those steps forward.”
Manager Bud Black mentioned, “He’s on the mend and he’s doing better. And it makes all of us feel good that he’s recuperating at a pace that is just encouraging. It’s good for all of us.”
Feltner mentioned he additionally has heard from Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt, who was with the Athletics when he was hit within the face with a line drive on Aug. 17, 2021.
Bassitt returned slightly greater than 4 weeks later and he has continued as a profitable Major League starter.
While Feltner needs to return and proceed making ahead strides — he had a run of excellent begins — he’s concentrating on the steps essential to be wholesome.
“I’ve looked a little bit at some stuff that I can do to improve on the field, but put that down pretty quick just to make sure I’m taking care of the mental side first, and making sure day-to-day tasks are normal for me,” Feltner mentioned.
“And once we get that bridge kind of going, I’ll start to look at the other stuff — the timelines, baseball-specific things. But for now it’s on the back burner.”
