RealGM

Posted: **Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:54 pm**

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/arti ... p&c_id=hou

CHICAGO -- Pitchers who've had Tommy John elbow surgery usually need at least a year, and sometimes 18 months, before they can even think about returning to the mound. But Brandon Backe has a good chance to defy those odds and rejoin his team much earlier than expected.
Backe and general manager Tim Purpura are being extra-cautious about not sounding too optimistic, but if the right-hander continues to progress at his current pace, he could be back with the Astros as early as August.

"I'm going to allow them [management] to speculate how far along it's going to be," Backe said. "Every day, I just keep giving them everything I can to try to manipulate the program and come back as soon as possible."

Posted: **Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:01 pm**

Thats a good sign, lets hope he can be productive as he used to be.

Posted: **Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:39 pm**

Too bad he sucks anyways

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:20 am**

Backe for closer role!

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:57 am**

Backe is a very aggressive pitcher/player...he definately has a "closers" mentality...they also say tommy john surgery can give you up to 3-5 more MPH on your fastball....he was already topping out at like 95.

So hey man you never know......

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:05 am**

Bow2Yao11 wrote:Backe for closer role!

Now, this I can see as a possibility. Atleast, he should be coming out of the bullpen regardless, because IMO he is not good enough to be a starter. He is like Wandy, he has a really nice start between terrible starts, and walks way too many guys.

You know, he used to be an outfielder. Put him in CF and so long Burke!

j/k.

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:28 pm**

But he seems to focus more and come up big in "big" games...he hasn't lost yet in the playoffs and who can forget what he did to the cardinals in the ALCS and how he did the white sox in the world series even tho we lost....

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:29 pm**

Yeah, Backe was nails in the playoffs. He always came through with a dominant performance when we need it the most. He is a gamer.

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:44 pm**

Then what if we just start him in the playoffs or big games during the season since he sucks ass the rest of the time?

:lol:

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:58 pm**

i still believe brad lidge will be back as a closer....and no to backe as a closer....he is 45687324864351 times better than wandy and our starting rotation is inconsistent (besides roy)....we need him to start...he is better than woody and possibly better than jennings

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:04 pm**

rocketworld wrote:i still believe brad lidge will be back as a closer....and no to backe as a closer....he is 45687324864351 times better than wandy and our starting rotation is inconsistent (besides roy)....we need him to start...he is better than woody and possibly better than jennings

Lidge is done, Backe is awful except for like 1 in every 5 starts. He walks guys way too much.

Having said that, he probably is better than Wandy but then again Wandy belongs in AA.

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:19 pm**

A couple of teams are interested in Lidge. Might we see a trade soon?

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:37 pm**

Bow2Yao11 wrote:A couple of teams are interested in Lidge. Might we see a trade soon?

Lidge for Rivera

Posted: **Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:41 pm**

FL is interested in Lidge. Lidge for Julio?

:rofl:

Posted: **Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:30 pm**

keep lidge ....he will be back as a closer :evil:

Posted: **Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:53 pm**

rocketworld wrote:keep lidge ....he will be back as a closer

Smoke some of that with me man...whatever it is.

Posted: **Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:25 am**

if it is a close race....he should come back if he can....if we are behind by like 20 thn forget it...rest him

RealGM

Backe Could Return in August

Backe Could Return in August

actually...