PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Trevor Bettencourt talks rehab, baseball shutdown, more

Trevor Bettencourt, image- Jay Floyd

Please consider supporting my work and subscribe to my Patreon page. Your patronage will get you exclusive interviews and early access to all of my content.

Righty pitcher Trevor Bettencourt continues to recover from his second Tommy John surgery, but instead of rehabbing at the Phillies spring training complex in Florida, he's at home in California, because of the halt of professional sports due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Last year, just two appearances into his 2019 campaign with the Double-A Reading, Bettencourt's season was cut short, as he was dealing with arm trouble.

In his professional career to date, the 25-year-old sports a 7-3 record with 12 saves, a 3.38 ERA and .273 batting average against and an 11.3 K/9 mark in 69 relief appearances.

A 25th round draft selection in 2016, Bettencourt first went under the knife for UCL reconstruction after his sophomore season in college in 2014.

This week I talked with the man known as "T-Betty" about his recovery, how the closure of the Phils' facilities impacts his rehabilitation, recommendations to pass time for people in quarantine and more. Read ahead for that interview.

- How is recovery going from last year's elbow injury?

It’s going really well, feeling pretty good and it’s nice having the Phillies staff in your corner. I had to do a lot of throwing into a net alone for my first surgery. Including other rehab activities because of the transfer rule at the time. So pretty happy with where I am at the moment in rehab, not happy about this baseball hiatus (laughs).

- How does the baseball shutdown impact your training or rehab? What's the plan for how you will proceed?

I mean it sucks, it really does, but like happy Gilmore said, “It happens”. “ What? Sh*t?”. “Yup”. But I’ve been finding ways to get what I need done and have been staying in contact with the trainers and athletic staff to stay on top of everything. Currently just doing everything I can at home, might be going to stay with my buddy Daulton Jefferies (A’s) to do some workouts and (physical therapy).

- Are any injured or rehab guys staying in Florida and working at the team's facilities?

To be honest not completely sure. I believe everyone is at home getting their work in.

- Do you have hopes that the big league teams will work something out to make sure minor leaguers will not miss wages? Have you heard anything with that?

I haven’t really heard anything besides yeah, possibly still getting spring training money. I do really hope they get something together to help guys out though. It’s tough. A lot of people don’t understand that we really don’t make a sustainable living on just baseball. And then others argue that we are choosing this, which I understand but wouldn’t you too if you had a real chance at your goal? Either way, it’s just a difficult time for everyone involved.

- I know some fans are worried about the players. Is there anything that fans should know about this situation and how the minor league guys have been treated?

Not exactly sure what to say (laughs), but in reality it’s a tough time on everyone. Just pay it forward I guess the best you can, because there’s people out there really struggling right now.

- What recommendations do you have for people that are locked down at home as far as TV shows to binge or books to read or games to play?

I’ve been really hooked on this show called “Worth It” on Hulu and “Basic Skills Challenge”. It’s about food and cooking. I’m weird, so not sure how popular those are (laughs) but I like to cook, so those kind of shows. And I’m re-watching New Girl at the moment.

Also I'm a big video game guy. If anyone thinks they can beat Jakob Hernandez and I at Rocket League, we would love the challenge.

- Is there anything I haven't asked about that you want to share?

Just want to share this page on Twitter right now called Adopt a Minor League @adoptmilbplayer.
It’s an organization set up by a guy who understands what struggles minor league players go through. He collects donations and provides everyday essentials for minor leaguers who struggle to make ends meet. It’s a really cool thing that’s starting to get some attention and I think that would be really cool to help get more attention to that idea. His page can explain more than I can do. I’ll leave it there.

Diekman a Late Addition to Mesa AFL Roster

On Wednesday, Phillies lefty pitching prospect Jacob Diekman made his Arizona Fall League debut. Diekman, who was drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 amateur draft, was assigned to Mesa late, in order to increase his 2010 innings total, according to Mesa hitting coach Mark Parent, who managed Diekman in Lakewood this past season. Diekman, 23, posted a 2-0 record with 1.90 ERA in 21 games with Class A Lakewood before being promoted to High-A Clearwater on June 24th. In 24 games with the Threshers, Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA. Combined, Diekman tossed 55 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .187 batting average against at two levels in 2010. However, after not pitching in an official game since he threw a shutout inning to wrap up the Clearwater season on September 5th, Diekman was unable to record an out as all seven batters he faced reached base, six with hits, one on an error. Diekman was charged with 5 earned runs in the outing. Diekman had spent time at instructional ball from

McGwire Stays Phony, Despite Admitting Drug Use

Mark McGwire made an effort to publicly come clean today, admitting to the world that he took performance enhancing drugs during his playing career. Steroids and human growth hormones were among the drugs that McGwire admitted to using. MLB Network featured a one on one interview with Bob Costas and McGwire on Monday evening. The broadcast was virtually garbage, thanks to McGwire. Ahead is a list of quotes from McGwire's interview. McGwire repeatedly stated his point of view that there were no dishonorable intentions involved when taking steroids, and that he was merely using them as a means to recover from varying ailments. When asked if he felt like he cheated... "As I look back now...I can see how people would say that. As far as the talent goes and the hand-eye coordination, the ability, the genetics I was given...I don't see it." "I did not take this for any strength purposes." Denial. Read on for similar B.S. He whined about the abuse he's taken at

Who is Your Favorite Willie 'Mays' Hayes?

PhoulBallz.com is wondering which individual who has portrayed Willie "Mays" Hayes is the favorite of the public. Hayes, of course, is the character made famous in the Major League motion picture series. In Major League , Willie "Mays" Hayes was portrayed by budding Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who would go on to action movie superstardom. Snipes has starred in major motion pictures like the Blade trilogy, Passenger 57 , Undisputed and many more. Snipes remains an impact Hollywood actor, despite legal troubles related to income tax evasion. Snipes was replaced for the sequel, Major League II when his busy career, and possibly the film's budget, would not allow him to return, by Omar Epps. Another budding actor, Epps had previously worked with director David S. Ward, on the film The Program , and landed the role of Hayes, who had become a Hollywood action star over the off-season that occured between the two films. Epps' career portraying athletes rolle

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog