Baseball: Lucas Giolito is cleared to begin a throwing program

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Harvard-Westlake’s Lucas Giolito, who began the year as the No. 1 prep pitching prospect in the nation but suffered an elbow injury March 6, has been cleared by doctors to begin a rehab throwing program after a final checkup and MRI to evaluate his progress from a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

‘We’re relieved to say he’s been cleared to start his throwing program this week,’ Giolito’s father, Rick, said Tuesday. ‘This is as good as can be expected. As a family, we’re thrilled.’

Rick Giolito said there’s no timetable for a return to pitching in a game.

‘It’s really what your arm tells you,’ he said.

Giolito, who signed in November with UCLA, was clocked throwing a 100-mph fastball in a game for the Wolverines.

-- Eric Sondheimer