Pestano

Vinnie Pestano has come a long way from where he was a year ago at this time.

Pestano, 25, is having a great season where he has mostly pitched as the closer for Triple-A Columbus.  Prior to joining Columbus, the right-handed pitcher was 1-1 with 3 saves and a 2.70 ERA in 14 games at Akron, and in 13.1 innings allowed 12 hits, 2 walks, and had 18 strikeouts.  Since joining Columbus in mid-May he has been sensational where in 42 games he is 1-2 with 14 saves and a 1.59 ERA, and in 45,1 innings has allowed 35 hits, 14 walks, and has 58 strikeouts.

But looking at his performance this year you would never know that Pestano was very close to possibly seeing his career come to an end at this time last year.

Pestano had a breakthrough season in Akron during the 2009 season where he was 2-3 with 24 saves and a 2.86 ERA in 34 games before he had to be shutdown because of elbow problems in early July.  He did not pitch again last season until the fall when he went out to the Arizona Fall League and made a few appearances, but then the elbow problems came back and there were serious concerns with his elbow.

But of no surprise, Pestano took his never give in and tenacious approach he usually saved for opposing hitters and instead applied it to rehabbing and getting himself back healthy before the start of this season.  He did it before after Tommy John surgery in 2006, and he did it again last offseason.

To date, Pestano has shown no wear on the arm, and is healthy and enjoying his best season as a professional.

"I'm doing good and glad to be in Columbus,