Padres News: Michael Wacha Opens Up About Injury, Hope for Return

Michael Wacha tells about his journey with right shoulder inflammation.

Since July 2nd, Michael Wacha has been on the IL with shoulder inflammation.

Wacha gave the San Diego Tribune some details about the injury.

"It sucks to be on the IL and I’m itching get back out there," Wacha said. "But I want to be full go, no pitch limit or anything like that and not barking out there. I want to be 100 percent so I can give 100 percent for this team."

Before the injury, Wacha had 8 wins and 2 losses with a 2.84 ERA. His major-league career began with the St. Louis Cardinals 10 years ago, so he's dealt with his fair share of injuries. He's never dealt with something like this before.

"I’ve never felt that before; everything’s been on the backside of the shoulder," Wacha said. "So it’s a little different, kind of going through it and different exercises to help strengthen it and stuff. … But these bullpens, these throwing sessions, being able to keep that intensity up, ramping up that intensity each time and being able to bounce back from it has been huge for the confidence for sure."

Wacha recently threw a 25-pitch bullpen session. Wacha wants to return to a major-league mound soon, but the Padres want him to be healthy and have sufficient shoulder strength.

Neither the Padres nor Wacha want him to hurt himself even more as the Padres compete for one of the National League Wild Card spots. Wacha may have an integral role in deciding both the Wild Card and the National League West races, so the Padres need him back and fully healthy.