The Dodgers were up, 5-1, in the ninth inning, when Dodgers manager Grady Little called on his former closer, No. 43.

It had been more than a year since reliever Yhency Brazoban had made that short trek from the bullpen to the mound, more than a year since he had felt the energy of 40,000 fans screaming and cheering, more than a year since he had felt the rush of striking out a Major League batter and more than year since he had felt confident in his arm.

"It just really felt good to get back out there," Brazoban said. "The fans welcomed me back, my teammates were real supportive and I felt good."

Unlike the short trek from the bullpen to the mound, Brazoban's recovery from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery has been a long journey. A journey that took him from a player on the verge of a breakout season in 2006 to a man needing the support of his family and friends to guide him through a grueling 13-month rehabilitation.

"It was never easy, but my family, my friends and my teammates all supported me," Brazoban said. "The hard part is knowing that you have to be away from the game and from the team for a whole year."

Brazoban came into the 2006 season primed to be the Dodgers' closer, as Eric Gagne wasn't healthy and Takashi Saito was unproven. The righty reported to Spring Training in February, fresh off a 21-save season in 2005, and a solid 22 games in the Dominican Winter League, where he led the league with 14 saves.

A week into to Spring Training, Brazoban reported pain in his arm and was diagnosed with a tender shoulder. He was expected to be ready in few days, but a few days turned into a month. He returned in time for Opening Day, however, his return was short-lived.

"I thought I had recuperated. It felt good because I was rested and there was no pain," Brazoban said. "Then in Pittsburgh, I felt like [there was] a tear and I knew right then it was bad. I knew something was wrong."

That tear turned out to be the ulnar collateral ligament, and four days later, on April 18, 2006, Brazoban went under the knife. The journey was just beginning.

"It was really rough for me because that was the first injury in my career," Brazoban. "It happened so fast. I didn't even get a second opinion, they [Dodgers' training staff] just told me I had to have surgery."

Brazoban, 26, established a new franchise rookie record in '05 by appearing in 74 games and recording 21 saves. He finished the season 4-10 with a 5.33 ERA. In 2004, he appeared in 31 games, going 6-2 with a 2.48 ERA.

For Brazoban, a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the success had he enjoyed his first two seasons in the Majors was a distant memory. His mind was now set on getting back to the mound at Dodger Stadium.

"They told me I could be ready by May or June if I worked hard, so I started working hard right away," Brazoban said. "It was tough. But the whole time, I was around the team and the guys, so every day, I started feeling like I was getting closer."

Brazoban came into 2007 Spring Training in better shape -- 10 pounds lighter -- and ready to make his comeback. He was activated on May 5 an optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he pitched in 11 games and was 0-0 with a 1.32 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings.

"He's still in a situation where there is going to be some inconsistency in his location," said pitching coach Rick Honeycutt. "His velocity is great, but he still has to work on the curveball and other pitches. He's in a situation where it's going to take some time to get back to where he was before."

On Wednesday, the pitcher's journey came full-circle as he jogged lightly passed Brady Clark in left and onto the infield passed Rafael Furcal at short and finally onto the mound. The hard-throwing righty didn't disappoint in his first outing, striking out three while walking one.

"Well, you see a guy come back from the surgery he had, rehab the way he has and come in and get and opportunity to get the first one under his belt. It was a good thing to see," Little said. "His stuff was live out there and I'm sure we'll find some spots for him to pitch."

Two nights later, Brazoban was summoned out of the bullpen again. This time No. 43 didn't fare so well, allowing three runs on two hits while failing to record an out.

"I know he [Little] wants me to build up my confidence, so I get back to the way I was pitching in 2005," Brazoban said. "I know it's not going to happen right away, but the main thing I want is to help the team win."