A return to the Dodgers after the All-Star break you say? No! Not possible. That was the consensus thought of all DodgersNation just a few months ago when pitcher Rubby De La Rosa was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The injury was said to set him back at least all of the upcoming season. But De La Rosa begs to differ. He has declared his Tommy John elbow reconstruction a success, then went on to predict his return to the ballclub this season, most notably after the All-Star break.

Will Rubby return as a starter or reliever?

De La Rosa then went on to say that he will be 100 percent. He feels as if he will pitch a lot better as well. Better than the 4-5 record with a 3.71 ERA and 1.40 WHIP? Sign us up!

The Dodgers signed pitchers Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang to fill out the Dodgers rotation, joining the likes of Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly. De La Rosa, 22, could re-join the Dodgers rotation in August, or even could finish the season in the bullpen where the club may be looking to upgrade. His fastball touched 99 mph from time-to-time prior to his injury.

Dr. Frank Jobe, inventor of the surgery, has said that Rubby’s transplanted tendon formed a stronger joint than that of the original ligament. As such, no setbacks have been suffered. De La Rosa has resumed throwing and is currently doing so from 90 feet on flat ground. The plan for him to throw off of a mound is targeted for April.

Horror stories have not stopped De La Rosa from working hard. In fact, he was told by teammates Javy Guerra and Luis Vasquez that recovery could take up to two years, and still you may not be fully back.

That should not stop this battling warrior in his quest to return.