Chris Paddack ran onto a Major League Baseball field for the first time since he underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery 16 months ago, but he will have to wait a little longer to pitch in a game.
Paddack, in a cruel twist, entered Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels to pitch in the seventh inning. As he ran from the bullpen, the umpiring crew told the Target Field grounds crew to bring out the tarp.
A 50-minute rain delay wiped out Paddack's season debut, and Louie Varland took the mound when the game resumed.
"A wet blanket, if you will, of some kind," said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, who called Paddack into his office early in the rain delay to inform him he wouldn't return to the game. "He's worked for literally almost years to get back for today."
Paddack might pitch Tuesday night when the Twins begin a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics. The 27-year-old made two starts and one relief appearance during his rehab assignment. He called the relief appearance, Tuesday at Class AAA St. Paul, a night that "changed my career."
The results were great — five strikeouts in three scoreless innings while reaching 98 mph with his fastball — but he was happier with how he responded in his first game out of the bullpen. He didn't go through his usual pre-start routine. Once the bullpen phone rang, he had to be ready.
"I didn't know what to expect," Paddack said. "A lot of emotion. A lot of new for me. The results showed I can handle that situation."
It's been a month of learning for Paddack. When he made his first rehab appearance at Class A Fort Myers, he had a pitch-clock violation.