For most pitchers, a spring training outing is more about getting work in. For Drey Jameson, it was the first time he took the mound since July 6, 2023. In that game, he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, then underwent Tommy John surgery that September after a failed attempt to rehab it.
"My legs would not stop shaking," Jameson told Diamondbacks on SI's Jack Sommers after his appearance. "I don't know why, I don't know if it was excitement. I definitely wasn't nervous but I don't know if it was excitement or what. I thought it would leave after the first couple of pitches and it just stayed the whole time."
Whether or not he was overamped for this appearance, Jameson pitched a clean inning in the team's 7-1 win over the Brewers. He averaged 98.1 MPH on his four-seamer and topped out at 100.0 MPH, a sign that his velocity is back. While the command wasn't great, with only five of 11 pitches for strikes, he still completed a perfect inning.
That served as a major milestone in his recovery from surgery. With that major hurdle cleared, he can focus on life as a pitcher and work on his craft. Command of his pitches is usually the final hurdle from a full recovery, and that will be something that takes place during the season.
Jameson is known for not only his competitive swagger but also the uniqueness of his cleats. The most memorable are his Scooby Doo cleats, which you can see down below.
It's unclear what type of role Jameson will have, both in the short and long term, but the main point in 2025 will be to stay healthy. With a likely innings cap on the season, the best way the Diamondbacks can manage his workload would be in the bullpen this season. If he has a healthy 2025, then they could re-evaluate him as a potential starting pitcher.