Our 2022 Baseball Season

Life Lately: Looking Back at Our 2022 Baseball Season

Now that the Minor League season has come to a close, it feels like the right time to look back on how our year played out. It definitely didn't start the way we hoped — life sent us another curveball. In January, Trey started feeling pain in his elbow, which meant another MRI. The scan showed a tear in his UCL, so he was once again shut down from throwing. Because he was still less than a year out from Tommy John surgery and not fully healed, the doctor decided a stem cell transplant was the best option. That procedure took place on Valentine's Day and kept him away from most activities for two months.

By May, Trey was back to throwing a baseball. We hadn't expected this setback, and neither of us wanted to feel stuck in Arizona for months on end. So instead, we made a point of celebrating the small wins. Every time Trey moved forward in his throwing program, we went out to eat and marked the milestone. It helped the time pass faster and deepened our appreciation for his hard work and determination.

Getting the Most Out of an Arizona Summer

We spent the summer rebuilding strength and throwing bull pens. Luckily, Arizona wasn't as brutally hot as usual, and we dodged too many days above 110 degrees. In July, Trey's sister Dylan got married, and we were overjoyed to head back to Texas for a few days to see friends and family. That time together was much needed, since we hadn't seen anyone since April. The summer also meant three separate moves between Airbnbs around the Scottsdale area. After all that packing, we've become experts at clearing out in a few hours and squeezing everything back into our suitcases.

Back on the Mound: First Game Action in a Year and a Half

August was a blur, but it was full of exciting memories. The biggest highlight was Trey finally pitching in games again — and his first outing fell on my birthday. The best birthday gift I could ask for! After a year and a half of rehab, he was back doing what he loved: pitching in competitive games. I can't fully put into words the emotions that came over me during that first game back. I was overjoyed to be in the stands cheering him on and watching all his hard work pay off.

Then the whirlwind started. Later that afternoon, Trey found out he'd be joining the Midland Rockhounds in San Antonio in just two days. As exciting as that was, it meant more packing. My parents were in town celebrating my birthday with us, so they helped us pull everything together and treated us to a birthday and sendoff dinner. We went to a restaurant called Elements at the Sanctuary — and honestly, it's a must-visit spot in Scottsdale. You're right on the side of Camelback Mountain, and the view is one of the best in Phoenix. It was the perfect night to close out our Arizona stay.

Texas Bound: Joining the Midland Rockhounds

We left for Texas the next afternoon. We knew a long drive was ahead, but we didn't mind at all — we were finally leaving Arizona. Being back in San Antonio brought back memories from 2019, when Trey played for the Missions while they were the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. It was nice to be in a familiar place again. Four days in the hotel flew by, and then we were back on the road to Midland. Oil rigs, wind turbines, and more oil rigs filled our drive — a definite change of scenery from the cactus.

We settled into another Airbnb for the week, and a few days later Trey had his first outing as a Rockhound. The nerves were in full force watching him throw again. I was incredibly proud of him for stepping on the mound and dominating. There's nothing quite like the emotions I feel watching him pitch in person.

Road Trips to Corpus Christi and Padre Island

After that home series, the next opponent was the Corpus Christi Hooks, so we headed to Corpus that Sunday after the game. Luckily, Monday was an off day, which gave us a chance to visit Padre Island and spend a few hours at the beach. It felt wonderful to have sand between our toes and waves at our feet. The mosquitoes were relentless, but what mattered most was that Trey's second outing went well, making our time in Corpus worthwhile.

After the series, we returned to Midland for Trey's final outing of the season. While there, we visited the George W. Bush childhood home and the famous Ratcliff Stadium. If you've never seen Friday Night Lights — one of my favorite movies — you should. Seeing the stadium in person was amazing. The last outing was bittersweet because we weren't quite ready for it to end. We loved being back in the thick of baseball season. Trey's final outing was a dominant one, a great way to close out his stint in Midland. We made some wonderful friends during our short stay and can't wait to see them again next year.

Graduating Rehab and Looking Ahead to Spring Training 2023

After the Double-A season ended, we returned to Arizona for two and a half weeks so Trey could finish his rehab stint at Instructs. He officially graduated rehab at the beginning of October and was cleared for a normal offseason. We were so grateful for that news after a long 18 months of rehab. Trey is ready to get back to working out in Tomball with his baseball friends and to compete next Spring Training. You'll find us soaking up time with family and friends and enjoying being home until baseball calls us back to Arizona for Spring Training 2023.

In This Article

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened with Trey's elbow during the 2022 season?
In January, Trey felt pain in his elbow, which led to another MRI. The scan showed a tear in his UCL, so he was shut down from throwing once again.
What procedure did Trey have instead of another surgery?
Because he was still less than a year out from Tommy John surgery and not completely healed, the doctor decided the best option was a stem cell transplant. The procedure took place on Valentine's Day and kept him from doing much for two months.
When was Trey able to throw a baseball again?
By May, Trey was able to throw a baseball again, and the summer was spent building back up and throwing bull pens.
Where did Trey pitch during the 2022 season?
After his first outing back, Trey joined the Midland Rockhounds in San Antonio. He also pitched in a series against the Corpus Christi Hooks.
When did Trey finish his rehab?
Trey officially graduated rehab at the beginning of October and was cleared for a normal offseason after a long 18 months of rehab.
What's next for the 2023 season?
Trey planned to get back to working out in Tomball with his baseball friends and to compete in Spring Training 2023, when baseball would call them back to Arizona.

Explore More

Browse more stories in Life Lately, revisit our 2022 baseball season, or check out Shopping Saturdays with Sarah - September. You can also find us on Facebook or reach out by email. For a memorable meal in Scottsdale, see Elements at the Sanctuary.

From the January elbow setback to his final outing in Midland, the 2022 season was a testament to patience and perseverance. We learned to celebrate every small step forward, whether it was a new phase of the throwing program or a road trip to a new ballpark. As we look ahead to Spring Training 2023, we're grateful for the friends, family, and baseball moments that carried us through the year.