Opening Day 2012 saw Colby Lewis on the mound for the two-time defending American League Champion Texas Rangers. Tendonitis in his right (throwing) elbow caused him to shut down, first in late June, and, after one more start following rest, for good on July 18.  Surgery followed on July 27.  Now the good news for Lewis and the Rangers is that he can begin throwing on flat ground.

MLB.com  reports that Dr. Keith Meister, who cleared him to begin the throwing program, examined Lewis, 6-6 in 2012, Friday.  At this time, a target return date has been set for June 1, but that could move in either direction depending on Colby's progress.



The Rangers did show good faith in the 33 year old in his second tenure with the ball club.  Lewis would have been eligible for free agency at the end of the 2012 season, but on September 17 Texas rewarded him with a one-year extension, albeit incentive laden. The Bakersfield, Ca. native made his big-league debut with the 2002 Rangers, and after stops in Detroit, Oakland, and Hiroshima of the Japanese league, he returned in 2010.  He has since compiled a 4-1 post-season record.

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