The last time we saw southpaw Tyler Skaggs pitch for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was nearly two years to date on July 31st, 2014.
Unfortunately that was the same day he was diagnosed with a flexor strain during his rookie season, which later developed into a UCL tear that would require season-ending Tommy John surgery.
To put that into perspective, the last time we saw Skaggs don the red and white Halo uniform he was 23 and the Angels were in the midst of the 98-win season and another American League West Division title.
Josh Hamilton was also batting cleanup, Mike Scioscia and Jerry Dipoto were on the same page and Jered Weaver was still an ace.
My, how the times have changed.
But, after two long years of recovery and rehabilitation, the now 25-year-old Tyler Skaggs has returned to give the Angels a glimmering ray of hope.
In his first start back from Tommy John surgery, Tyler Skaggs dominated the Kansas City Royals lineup from top to bottom, pitching seven strong inning of shutout ball.
His final line:
7.0 Innings Pitched, 3 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned Runs, 1 BB and 5 Ks
Dominance.
And perhaps even more impressive is that he looked like the same Tyler Skaggs we all saw break out during his rookie season back in 2014.
His fastball sat in the low 90s and even touched the 95 mph mark. His breaking stuff was falling off the table just as much as it had pre-Tommy John, and he was in total control from the moment he took the mound in the bottom of the first.
Backed by a 2-for-4 night with 3 RBI from Kole Calhoun, a 4-for-5 night with 2 runs and a home run from Carlos Perez, and a 3-for-5 night with one run and 3 RBI from Mike Trout, the Angels dominated the Royals 14-0.
But, in his first step back from Tommy John surgery, Tyler Skaggs needed just one run of support in his stellar return.
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Skaggs’ next probable start will likely be on Sunday, July 31st, in a matinee at home against the Boston Red Sox. Two years to the exact day he was shut down in his rookie season.