Tucson Toros starting pitcher Lorenzo Barcelo has undergone five surgeries, including two Tommy John elbow procedures and two for the rotator cuff in his shoulder.
As he attempts a comeback at affiliated baseball and a return to the majors, Barcelo has found success early with the Tucson Toros.
In two starts, the 31-year-old right-hander has struck out 14, walked none and posted a 0.71 ERA in 12 2/3 innings. He struck out nine in six innings in Tucson's 15-2 win over Orange County on Friday before manager Tim Johnson removed Barcelo when he developed tightness in his calf.
"He can't look much better," pitching coach Ed Vosberg said. "He's everything you'd want an ace to be."
He's also a part of baseball trivia. Barcelo, a native of the Dominican Republic, was a part of the "White Flag Trade" in 1997 that sent six minor-leaguers from the San Francisco Giants to the Chicago White Sox for major-leaguers Wilson Alvarez, Roberto Hernandez and Danny Darwin. Barcelo went 5-3 with a 4.50 ERA for the Sox from 2000 to 2002.
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After returning to the Giants organization and pitching in Triple-A in 2003, Barcelo underwent his second Tommy John surgery in 2003 and did not pitch for four years. He returned to baseball in 2007, pitching for the Chinatrust Whales, a professional team in Taiwan, for two years.
During his career, his velocity has dipped from the mid-90s to the low 90s. He has compensated by mixing his pitches and locating his fastball and slider.
"You don't have to do anything crazy," he said. "Hit your spots and you will make the out."
A resident of Tucson for 11 years, Barcelo heard the Toros were beginning a new season as a member of the Golden Baseball League. He said he has faced both skilled hitters and impatient hitters in the independent league.
"He has big-league stuff," Johnson said. "He knows how to pitch, and he's a great competitor and has a great demeanor on the mound. That's the biggest thing."
After all his surgeries, Barcelo said he feels healthy. He first underwent an operation to remove bone spurs in his elbow in 1998. A couple months later, he had his first Tommy John surgery. In 2001, he had rotator cuff surgery, and the following year, another operation cleaned up the shoulder.
"I'm happy with what I've been doing. I can't complain," he said. "You always have to be ready for the good moments and the bad moments."
Inside pitch
• The Toros defeated Orange County 3-1 Saturday night at Hi Corbett Field.
• The Chico-Calgary game Friday night was suspended at a 6-6 tie before the 12th inning so the scheduled fireworks show could go on. City ordinances forbid the fireworks to begin after 11 p.m. The game in Chico, Calif., was resumed Saturday. As the stoppage snapped momentum, the decision frustrated some coaches and players, according to the Chico Enterprise Record.
"I've never heard of that," Tucson's Johnson said. "That'd be awfully tough."
TODAY
• What: Orange County Flyers at Tucson Toros
• When: 7 p.m.
• Radio: 1450-AM
