ATLANTA – Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz said Monday he hopes to be cleared this week to throw off a mound as he continues his recovery from life-threatening blood clots in his right shoulder.
Foltynewicz said Monday he has lost about 20 pounds since surgery to remove part of a rib under the shoulder. His 2015 season ended in September when the blood clots were discovered and he was placed on blood-thinning medicine.
Even if he is taken off the medication this week and given clearance to start throwing off a mound, Foltynewicz could have difficulty being ready for the start of the season. He said he is about two weeks behind other pitchers in his throwing program.
Foltynewicz said he learned his condition is not unusual for athletes. “They said it happens a lot because you build your shoulder muscles up so much it just crushes the blood vessels,” he said.
“Luckily they found it. It was life-threatening. I could have had a stroke on the airplane on the next trip. It was kind of scary to go through.”