ATLANTA -- Performing on the Turner Field pitcher's mound was more than just another appearance for Giants right-hander Cory Gearrin.
It wasn't just the victory Gearrin appreciated, though he certainly savored the inning he pitched in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Atlanta Braves. Gearrin felt as if this game enabled him to come full circle after missing the entire 2014 season with Tommy John elbow surgery as a member of the Braves. The Giants signed Gearrin as a Minor League free agent in December 2014.
Before that, the 30-year-old spent the entire 2013 season with Atlanta, as well as significant portions of the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
"I had a lot of good experiences here, but it was nice, after going through what I went through injury-wise and not knowing what was going to happen after that, to be able to come back and pitch," said Gearrin, who frequently has handled setup duties in Sergio Romo's absence.
Gearrin's effort Tuesday differed dramatically from his last pitch as a Brave. Poised to make Atlanta's 2014 Opening Day roster, he was throwing his final warmup delivery in the Braves' Grapefruit League finale at Lakeland, Fla., against Detroit when his arm gave out.

"That was my last time pitching in a Braves uniform," Gearrin said. "So getting to come back and compete here again was something I definitely wanted to do."
Gearrin, who entered Wednesday 1-0 with a 2.82 ERA and one save in 24 games, acknowledged he has improved mechanically as a Giant.
"Since coming here and having surgery, I cleaned a lot of stuff up and got rid of some inefficiencies," he said. "It's taken a lot of pressure off my arm."