M's Farm Report

The latest M's Farm Report at the Seattle Times covers a recent Rattler.
Johnny DuRocher deals with elbow strain, stays positive

After a great start to his second year as a professional baseball pitcher, Johnny DuRocher started to feel occasional pain in his elbow.

Then after an early July outing, "it swelled up badly," DuRocher said. He was put on the disabled list and sent to Arizona for rehabilitation.

Greg Hunter, the Mariners' director of player development, said the injury is an elbow strain and the organization is hopeful DuRocher can return this season. DuRocher will be evaluated further this week.

That 'early July outing' was the game on July 7 against Beloit that was suspended by rain. There is a bit more at the story, including this reaction when DuRocher's one game with the Rattlers in 2007 was brought up:

After pitching in the Arizona League last summer in Peoria, DuRocher was promoted to Class A Wisconsin late in the season, where he pitched in just one inning.

He allowed seven runs in that inning for a 63.00 earned-run average.

"That ate at me all offseason," DuRocher said. "I knew I could pitch at that level. I was looking forward to getting another chance."