Upbeat just about anytime he discussed a comeback from a second Tommy John surgery, Padres right-hander Mike Clevinger wiped his eyes outside the clubhouse last weekend as he revealed the truth about his ordeal: "I wasn't sure I was going to pitch again."
Dinelson Lamet knew exactly what he meant.
It wasn't the exact same decision in front of Lamet as he, team officials and team doctors pored over the scans of his right elbow and forearm some 20 months ago — the damage nor recommendation weren't at all as definitive as they were in Clevinger's case — but the fork in the road was daunting nonetheless.
