Durham, N.C. — "Four. I've had four years off."
Durham Bulls right-handed pitcher Brent Honeywell Jr. was grinning ear-to-ear as he fielded questions on a recent media day.
When minor league baseball returned last week, for many of the players it was the first real meaningful game in over a year thanks to the lost COVID season. But that's pale in comparison, as they say, to the nearly four years Honeywell missed due to a series of four surgeries.
It's his demeanor, confidence and competitive edge that helped him make it all the way back to this point.
"It's something I wouldn't give back, that's for sure," said Honeywell. "A lot of people don't like to be identified by baseball, but I do."
But for the last three years, he's been identified by injuries. It all began on Feb. 28, 2018, with Tommy John surgery. From there it seemed as if the setbacks continued, undergoing three more elbow surgeries along the way. His most recent coming in December of 2020; right elbow arthroscopic surgery. But hopefully it was the last.
"I was under some watchful eyes for the last few years, and it was definitely a controlled environment for the ATS (alternate training site)" said Honeywell. "It definitely put me in a better spot than I had really imagined coming back from the 3-4 years I had missed out on."
The righty says he couldn't have done it without the support of family and friends. However, when it comes to overseeing his rehabilitation and returning to the field, Honeywell credits the Tampa Bay Rays' organization.
"I got nothing but respect for these guys. They stuck with me for four years, and it probably wasn't easy to do," said Honeywell. "They do a hell of a job here."
The Rays backed up their commitment when Honeywell was called up last month to make his major league debut.
Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder has this advice:
"Take it in and take it for what it's worth, you know, you only get to debut once, and there ain't too many people that have been through what you had to go through to get here."
Honeywell says that's exactly what he did.
"I took it in and went out [had] two pretty good innings, and it was definitely a lot of fun," said Honeywell. "It was something I looked forward to ever since I was 5 years old. I mean, it was something that you can't really put into words."
Although being optioned down to the Bulls to start the Triple A season, right now for Honeywell, it's about not getting frustrated and staying the course.
"Being on the field is a blessing in itself. And I think knowing that I can go out and pitch every 3rd or 4th, 5th day, whenever they need me is definitely a plus for me. Getting on and off the field healthy is definitely number one," he said.
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Bulls' Honeywell returns after four surgeries and nearly four years on the sidelines - WRALSportsFan.com
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