Mark Mulder, who is trying to make a comeback to Major League Baseball after a six year hiatus, was injured early Saturday while warming up for his first bullpen session of the spring. MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reported earlier this morning that the Angel's pitcher injured his ankle. He was taken in for x-rays but the severity of the injury is still unknown. This is a major and unfortunate setback for Mulder.
The former star pitcher for the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals has not thrown a pitch in the majors since 2008 and officially announced his retirement in 2010. Mulder was sidelined by shoulder injuries after being traded from the Athletics to the Cardinals. He has since been working for ESPN as an analyst.
During the playoffs last year Mulder figured out a way to throw the ball without it affecting his shoulder by watching Dodger's pitcher Paco Rodriguez's delivery. He was able to replicate Rodriguez's delivery without any shoulder pain or strain.
He held a tryout session in November, according to the Los Angeles Times, and the scouts were impressed with what they saw. It was rumored that his fastball was hitting the 90 mph mark. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim soon signed Mulder to a minor league contract with an invite to big league spring training. There were, and still are, hopes that he would be able to stay healthy with his new delivery and possibly make the Angels' starting rotation. Mulder, if he returns, will be battling for the fifth spot in the Angels rotation with Joe Blanton and Tyler Skaggs.
Mulder, unfortunately, just seems to have a streak of bad luck. After finding a way to throw with his often injured shoulder, the southpaw wasn't even able to make it to his first bullpen session. Hopefully for the comeback candidate the x-rays will comeback negative and he will be able to pitch again during the spring.
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