Physical therapy, oil options and 10 screws.

They are part of the healing process for University of Hawaii baseball players Logan Pouelsen and Colin Ashworth.

In the latter part of the 2018 season, Pouelsen, a two-way player, was restricted to first base and designated hitter because of discomfort in his right (pitching) elbow. Ashworth missed last season’s final two months after suffering an ankle injury in a moped accident.

But three weeks before the start of the 2019 season, both are fully healthy. UH coach Mike Trapasso said Pouelsen threw two innings in Wednesday’s scrimmage. Pouelsen is projected to be used as a relief pitcher, first baseman, designated hitter and, even, third baseman.

Ashworth, who had a 1.64 earned-run average in six relief appearances, is being groomed for dual roles as a starter and reliever.

“They’re both doing well,” Trapasso said.

As a Huntington Beach senior in 2016, Pouelsen underwent Tommy John surgery to repair an injury to his right elbow. The operation required transferring a tendon from his hamstring. It took about three months post-surgery for Pouelsen to resume running. Pouelsen was used exclusively as a first baseman/DH as a UH freshman in 2017. Last year, he pitched in 13 games, starting five.

“I just wasn’t keeping up with everything,” Pouelsen said. “This year, I’m keeping up with all the physical therapy and the rehab stuff after every time I throw.”

The treatment involves ice, manual therapy and exercises to strengthen the right forearm. “Without a strong forearm, your elbow is not going to be strong,” Pouelsen said.

Assistant coach Mike Brown loaned Pouelsen a book on nutrition. “It shows the good oils in the foods and the bad oils,” Pouelsen said. “I’m trying to stay away from the bad oils, and cutting off sodas, and watching what I’m eating.”

Pouelsen weighed 268 when he enrolled at UH in August 2016. He now weighs 240.

“I feel a lot better,” Pouelsen said. “I’m not as tired. I’m able to move around.”

Ashworth, who earned a bachelor’s degree last year, was granted a medical hardship that allows him a sixth season. “I don’t have any regrets for the rest of my life by coming back,” Ashworth said.

Ashworth said he suffered the injury when his moped “slipped out and I just hit the (right) ankle weird.” He said surgery required inserting 10 screws, a metal plate and fishing wire.

As part of his rehabilitation, he borrowed a technique from Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel.

Prior to entering Wallace State Community College, Kimbrel was injured when drywall fell on his foot. To keep his arm fresh, Kimbrel would long-toss from his knees. “He went from throwing 85 (mph) to like 95,” Ashworth said.

Using that technique, Ashworth was able to throw up to 300 feet while on his knees, from the foul line to the warning track. “You basically learn to maximize your arm effort and get the most out of it,” Ashworth said. “Hopefully, I’ll have a little more life in the arm, a little more backspin, a little more life through the (strike) zone.”

While Ashworth is an option for several roles, he will retain the job of helping to select walk-up and between-innings music for home games. Ashworth, who plays guitar, said he received a harmonica for Christmas. “Looking like Bob Dylan, basically,” he said.