Rancho Cucamonga Quakes fans undoubtedly remember him well – hard-throwing right-hander Lindsey Caughel, who was an absolute workhorse for the Quakes during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. A master of control, the (then) 22 and 23-year-old Ocoee, Florida native would routinely go six innings or more in his combined 35 starts over two seasons. He also amassed 193 strikeouts while allowing only 41 walks in his combined 203.1 innings of work.

But then the former 23rd-round draft pick (2012) got bit by the injury bug. Midway through the 2014 season, Caughel suffered a strained oblique that sidelined him for nearly all of the second half of the season. After a complete recovery, Caughel arrived at minor league spring training camp this past March having been told that he would most likely begin the season at Double-A Tulsa. But less than a week into camp, Caughel felt discomfort in his right shoulder – a condition diagnosed as a shoulder impingement. Caughel would spend the entire spring recovering from the ailment and stay on for extended spring training.

Caughel hopes of beginning the 2015 season at Double-A Tulsa were derailed when he experienced shoulder discomfort during spring training. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

After three long months of rest and rehabilitation, Caughel finally made his first start of the 2015 season with the Single-A Great Lakes Loons on June 7.

It did not go well.

After retiring the first six batters he faced, Caughel gave up seven earned runs on four wind-assisted home runs and it was apparent that something was still wrong with his right shoulder. Although an MRI showed no structural damage, doctors recommended that the now 24-year-old have exploratory arthroscopic surgery to determine what, if anything, was going on with his shoulder and for a general clean-up, if needed.

On Friday Caughel had the surgery, which was performed by orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Brian L. Shafer in Phoenix.

“The surgery went well, Dr. Shafer was very optimistic,” said Caughel on Saturday. “There were no tears only a couple of flaps hanging down and a lot of fraying.”

If this sounds familiar to Dodger fans, it well should. It is the same shoulder issue that befell Dodgers left-hander Hyun-jin Ryu – with one huge exception. Ryu will be on the shelf until spring training 2016 where as Caughel is expected to be completely healed in three months.

“Dr. Shafer said I should be game-ready in three months,” said a very upbeat Caughel less than 24 hours after his surgery. “I’m going to play winter ball this off-season and then come back next spring and give it a good push.”

Of course, being told that you will be game-ready in three months the day after your surgery and actually doing so are two different things. But being that Dr. Shafer has been on the Dodgers medical staff for several years (as well as those of the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Coyotes, USC football and volleyball teams, to name only a few), there is no reason whatsoever to believe that Caughel won’t be game-ready this winter.

“I’ll find out on Monday (July 13) when I can begin my rehab,” said Caughel.