Tyler Thornburg. (Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- There was reason for excitement when the Red Sox acquired reliever Tyler Thornburg from the Brewers prior to last season, even in exchange for Travis Shaw and three prospects.
Of course, you can understand some of the fan frustration that came after Shaw homered 31 times and drove in 101 runs while Thornburg failed to throw a pitch for Boston the entire year.
The righty threw his first bullpen session yesterday since June surgery to repair ligaments in his neck and shoulder.
He said it was a big step tossing off a mound for the first time.
"Just the fact that I finished this bullpen and felt like I could throw way more, felt like I could have gone harder or whatever it may be, and just the fact that it doesn't feel tired, it doesn't feel like it's going to be overly sore or anything tomorrow, I'm real excited about where it is and how it feels right now," he said. "I mean I feel like I could throw like in a game right now, like I said, I'm ecstatic about that."
Thornburg was an elite set-up man in 2016. He appeared in 67 games and struck out 90 over 67 innings with a 2-15 ERA.
If he's healthy, that'd be a huge addition to an already impressive Sox 'pen in front of closer Craig Kimbrel.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports
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