Hall of Famer Lou Brock throws out first pitch six months after leg amputation

Six months after his left leg was amputated below the knee due, Hall of Famer Lou Brock threw out the ceremonial first pitch Monday night before the St. Louis Cardinals’ home opener against Milwaukee. The 76-year-old missed spring training for the first time in two decades with the Cardinals organization and targeted the opener as a return.

“I thought I could participate in the parade, but then they asked if I could throw out the first pitch, and that’s a challenge,” Brock said. “I’m like whoa!”

Brock’s leg was amputated because of an infection caused by complications from diabetes. He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 15 years ago. Wearing a prosthesis, Brock threw a strike to Cardinals catching great Ted Simmons, a former teammate.

“Somebody said — I don’t know who it was — they said, `Finally Lou, after all these years, you hit the cutoff man,“’ Brock said.

Brock was surrounded by his wife, Jackie, and the rest of the Cardinals Hall of Famers, who dressed in their trademark red jackets.

Brock stole a National League-record 938 bases, including 118 in 1974. He had 3,023 hits, becoming a star after a celebrated trade from the Chicago Cubs in 1964 for pitcher Ernie Broglio.

Brock said he had to almost learn how to throw a ball all over again while wearing a prosthesis. He said balance was the biggest thing.

Brantley progressing

Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley is set to begin a rehabilitation assignment with triple-A Columbus. Brantley, who had off-season shoulder surgery, has been off the field since March 21. The Indians hope Brantley, who led the American League with 45 doubles and was fourth with a .310 batting average last year, can join them before the end of the month.

Braves prospect debuts

The Atlanta Braves recalled top outfield prospect Mallex Smith from triple-A Gwinnett and immediately put him in the starting lineup to make his big league debut as the center fielder and leadoff hitter. The 22-year-old Smith, summoned to replace the injured Ender Inciarte, struck out in the first inning against Washington ace Max Scherzer but singled and scored in the second. The team put Inciarte (hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list. It also put reliever Dan Winkler on the 15-day DL with a fractured right elbow suffered Sunday.

Etc.

The Chicago Cubs transferred slugger Kyle Schwarber from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL four days after he suffered a season-ending knee injury. The team also acquired left-handed pitcher Giovanni Soto from Cleveland for cash. . . . Oakland left-hander Felix Doubront will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a torn elbow ligament. Projected to be Athletics’ fifth starter, Doubront, 28, was injured during his final spring training appearance April 2. . . . Detroit catcher James McCann left Monday’s game against Pittsburgh in the fifth inning because of a sprained ankle.