PEN NOTES: One of the bright spots during the bullpen's recent struggles has been RHP Joe Nelson, who has yet to give up a run in five innings.
Manager Joe Maddon said that Nelson, signed during the offseason, has looked more comfortable and cited his work against left-handed hitters (holding them to a .071 average with seven strikeouts and one walk). For his career, Nelson has held lefties to a .205 average.
"That's what makes him really valuable," Maddon said.
Nelson has been used in the long role as well as late-inning duty so far, and Maddon feels comfortable with him in several spots.
"He does provide a lot of what Grant (Balfour) did last year and what J.P. (Howell) did last year."
Howell, meanwhile, said his recent struggles (a blown save and a loss in his past two outings) are not due to health issues.
"The ball is up. It's a mechanical thing," he said. "It's a rhythm thing, and it's a timing thing. It can come (back) overnight. Sooner or later, it's going to get there."
IZZY UPDATE: Maddon said RHP Jason Isringhausen has been progressing well and is throwing from a longer distance as he builds arm strength and velocity in his fastball after offseason elbow surgery.
Isringhausen will have a two-inning stint in extended spring training before going to Double-A Montgomery on Monday. Maddon said Isringhausen will have a couple of outings there before going to Triple-A Durham, and they just want to see a few more miles per hour on his fastball.
"The body is in good order. He's feeling good," Maddon said. "The velocity is not quite where we want it to be yet."
St. Petersburg Times
No comments:
Post a Comment