WINTERHAVEN, FLA.- Enjoying the off-season and awaiting the birth of his first child, Grant Dayton relaxed by baking cookies when he decided to sit down to talk about his future in Major League Baseball, which is already in limbo after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow. Dayton sees possible stability after he was picked up off waivers by the Atlanta Braves from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The former Bob Jones High athlete said the recent development came as a big surprise.

“I did not know I was placed on waivers by the Dodgers,” said Dayton via telephone from his home in Winterhaven, Fla. “I was not expecting this at all, but this could be a good opportunity for me as being claimed off waivers while I’m hurt means the Braves have confidence in my talent when I fully return to action.”

The left-handed pitcher underwent the elbow rebuilding surgery on Aug. 29 and will most likely miss the entire 2018 season. The 30-year old has undergone extensive rehabilitation since the surgery. He’s healing well both physically and mentally from a major and sometimes career ending procedure according to Dayton.

“My elbow feels great in the three months since the surgery,” said Dayton. “My elbow actually feels healthier than it has for a year or so. I have full range of motion and good strength. I’m anxiously awaiting the time I can begin throwing again, which is typically six months after this type of reconstructive surgery.”

Dayton and his wife, Cori, are expecting a son at any moment and Dayton looks forward to having his first child and having the chance to play for the Major League Baseball team he grew idolizing. He would watch the Braves almost daily on the Superstation WTBS and always dreamt of one day wearing the Braves uniform. Dayton added, “I’m happy to be back in the South and close to home.”

While with the West Coast Dodgers, Dayton posted a 2.05 ERA, with 39 strikeouts and six base on balls in the first 25 appearances in the Major Leagues in 2016. He opened the 2017 season with eight consecutive scoreless appearances before having to go on the DL list in May. Upon his return he ended up posting season statistics in 29 games of a 4.94 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 23 innings of action.

“I built some great relationships in L.A. and I’m leaving a good organization,” said Dayton. “Saying goodbye to Los Angeles will be tough, but my new assignment with the Braves, including continued rehabilitation, will be held in Kissimmee just 40 miles away from my home in Winterhaven. That’s where the Braves host spring training.”

Dayton’s professional contract automatically transferred to the Braves, which is now led by new general manager Alex Anthopoulos who came to the Braves after spending the last two years in the Dodger’s organization as vice president of baseball operations. His duties in L.A. included knowing the players and their talents, so making the move to obtain Dayton seemed to be a logical fit.

Dayton has only once put a baseball in his pitching hand since the Aug. surgery when a neighbor wanted the star pitcher to autograph a baseball and he was glad to oblige.

Dayton added, while making sure the cookie receipt he was working on was flawless, “I’m excited about having a new elbow and anxious to get back on pitcher’s mound for the team I grew up with.”