Baez expands his repertoire
One of the reasons that Baez was passed over for the rotation was because he seemed reluctant to use his split-fingered fastball, which he felt was a factor in the elbow injury that shelved him for a year and a half. That perception increased when he broke the split out in his first extended throwing session this spring and woke up very sore the next day. Sunday, he made a couple of Mets hitters look very bad with it and said afterward that he’s now confident he can throw it without damaging his arm.
“I was a little worried that it would hurt my arm,’’ Baez said, “but I’ve been feeling stronger and stronger and it feels fine now.”
It’s hard to say whether Baez would still be in the hunt for a slot in the rotation if he had gotten comfortable with the splitter a little sooner, but if he can continue to throw it like he did on Sunday, he could move up the pecking order in the bullpen and -- who knows -- he might even become tradable at some point in the season.
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Comments
Pete, just for general awareness, I am watching the game right now on tv, and through 3 innings, Simon is absolutely dealing. His fastball is live and his breaking-ball is really sharp.
I hope the next 3 innings are more of the same...if not, well what are you gonna do?
PS Jones' swing looks fantastic...taking that ball opposite field, and in a hurry. I am impressed
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Pete's reply: I was writing about the same thing about Simon when he Murphy launched that homer, but he's still throwing well. Jones is unconscious right now. Really hitting the ball hard.
Posted by: John From Rochester NY | March 30, 2009 7:56 PM
I just posted my opinion about Simon on another of your posts. But I also believe that Baez deserves a shot at a starting shot. Guthrie, Uehara, Simon, Bass, and Baez might get us to the relief corps much of the time, and when Hill comes back, and bergeson is called up, they can spell anyone who is faltering. It , at long last is starting to take shape, and might not be as bad as we fear. At least, we can hope.
Posted by: woodieman | March 30, 2009 9:51 PM
Do any of his new pitches include strikes? It seems the last we saw of Ole Baez he had all of the accuracy of Dick Cheney on a quail hunt.
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Pete's reply: He had control problems early, but he was 18 months recovering from Tommy John surgery. Been throwing more strikes lately.
Posted by: Jeff | March 30, 2009 9:54 PM