Express Train Volume 1: End of Lee Line
When the London Underground drafted Lee Mitchell first overall in 2025 they had high hopes. Not unreasonable given his prestigious draft position. A year later he would already be pitching for the Underground and looked every bit like a future franchise starting pitcher destined to do great things. That was, until he tore his rotator cuff in October of 2027. What would have been his last start of the season ended up being his last start in nearly two years.
The initial prognosis was surgery and about a year on the shelf. So, the 2028 season was off the table before the 2027 offseason even began. Unfortunate, but with the team still deep in a rebuild it was not necessarily the end of the world. There was some hope that Mitchell could return in September or October in the unlikely event the team found itself playing meaningful baseball still at that point, but a lot would have to go right for that scenario. As it turned out, a lot did not go right. In fact, Mitchell suffered a setback that increased his recovery time an additional 6 months putting him solidly out for 2028 and calling into question whether he'd even be ready for 2029.
Ultimately, he was ready for opening day of 2029 and took his spot back in the London rotation. Unfortunately the complete tear of his rotator cuff had sapped the strength of his arm and it quickly became apparent that he would no longer have the ability to pitch deep into games, rarely getting out of the 5th inning during the first month of the season. After a difficult conversation, Lee agreed to move to the pen. To perhaps everyone's surprise the move was successful beyond the team's expectations, and he was able to pull his ERA down to 3.00 in just under 100 innings of work. Things were again looking up for Mitchell and with the franchise heading towards .500 baseball and making moves towards becoming more competitive, he was set to be an important piece of the bullpen going forward. And then, in August of 2029 he torn a labrum in his shoulder, the second serious injury on the pitching arm. This injury set him back 7 months, ending his 2029 campaign early but leaving him plenty of time to be ready for 2030.
In 2030 Mitchell began the season in the pen and was designated the "stopper" by skipper Pablo Morales, who had nothing but great things to say about the pitcher. Mitchell rewarded this trust with a 2.42 ERA, 19 holds, and 5 saves through July. Then on the one year anniversary of tearing his labrum....he tore his labrum. Again. Worse than before, he was on the shelf 10-11 months. The unfortunate and unbelievable twist was difficult for Mitchell to stomach, and after suffering three severe throwing shoulder injuries in as many seasons played there were real doubts about Mitchell's career going forward. However, he had signed a contract extension that carried him through 2031 and both Mitchell and the team were determined to see him return to the mound and hopefully continue to be a contributing member of the team.
Sadly the saga does not have a storybook ending. Upon being cleared to come off the disabled list Mitchell was placed on a AAA rehab assignment. He struggled mightily, with an ERA that ballooned to double digits after multiple appearances. It was clear to everyone that the three injuries had had significant impacts on Mitchells arm strength and control, as well as his mental state. Before his rehab stint was up, London decided they had seen enough and assigned Mitchell to their AAA team. He remained there for the season, eventually finishing with a 7.36 ERA in 22 innings of work. His final appearance was unremarkable mop up duty in game 2 of the AAA playoffs, where the Rhinos were eventually swept four games to none.
In an act of loyalty and appreciation of Mitchell, the team offered him a minor league contract to continue to play baseball in their organization and attempt to rehab his career. Mitchell, proud as ever, refused the offer and demanded a major league contract. And so when the offseason begins in a few short days, Lee Mitchell will be a free agent for the first time in his career as he tries to salvage what might be left of that career.
