When the phone rings in the Bakersfield Blaze bullpen, Ryan Horstman doesn’t think about his arm.
He doesn’t feel the pain that caused him to miss big chunks of all three of his professional seasons.
Horstman doesn’t focus on the partial tear of his UCL or the benign bone tumor in his humerus that will always affect him.
He’s just glad for the chance to pitch again.
“You don’t know what you’re missing till it’s gone. All that time not playing, it felt gone,” said Horstman, who throws with manageable discomfort in his arm. “Most people in that situation usually leave, but I stuck with it.”
Drafted by Seattle as a starter in the fourth round of the 2013 entry draft, Horstman is now working out of the bullpen for the Blaze, the Mariners’ Advanced Single-A affiliate.
At 23, the South Hadley High School and St. John’s product used to get frustrated watching other members of his draft class rise through the minor leagues while he rehabbed his injuries. He pitched in one game in 2013, four in 2014 and seven last year.
But now that he’s back on the mound with nine appearances this year, he has figured out staying in the moment. Performing “one anything at a time” is cliché in sports across all levels, but given his injury history, Horstman doesn’t allow himself the luxury of getting too far ahead.
“I’m just trying to stay healthy the best I can. It’s definitely good being back on the mound,” Horstman said. “I’m focused on one pitch at a time instead of the result or the outcome. I take a deep breath and throw that one pitch. That’s how I go about my business and it’s been going well so far.”
Very well in fact. The left-hander has been impressive out of the bullpen in 2016. In nine appearances he’s 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA. He gave up two runs in his first outing but just two combined in the eight appearances that followed. Horstman has struck out 23 batters in 13 innings entering Monday’s night’s game.
He moved into the closer role this weekend and earned saves Friday and Sunday.
“I like relieving better than starting now that I got used to it. I like being in that situation, coming in when the game is tied or we’re up 1-0,” said Horstman, who is throwing consistently in the low-90s and occasionally in the mid-90s. “I like having the pressure put on me. I like coming out of the pen and knowing I can get the job done and that they rely on me.”
He’s been especially tough on left-handers, a skill that can speed a southpaw’s assent. They’re hitting just .111 against him.
“I’m in a good situation right now. I like it,” he said. “As a reliever you can move up quicker if you have success. I know they want me to get innings in to see if I stay healthy and can handle it.”
His numbers are more impressive coming in the California League. The Single-A circuit has long held the reputation of a hitters’ league, with close fences and often home run-friendly wind patterns. Statistically it has annually been at or near the highest run producing leagues above rookie ball.
While that can skew a pitcher’s numbers in the wrong direction, Horstman said the risks of making a mistake has made him more focused.
“Under these circumstances you have to be a better pitcher. You have to keep the ball down and hit location,” he said. “If you do that you’re going to have success. If you leave the ball up, you’re screwed.”
He’ll happily take worrying about location as opposed to worrying about an arm injury.
“I’m finally back playing. I love this game. I breath it,” he said. “I want to stay in that grind. It’s going well for me so far.”
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage