azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Melvin adds live hitting
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 17, 2005 12:00 AM
TUCSON - The Diamondbacks aren't trying to reinvent the wheel, but when one of their pitchers needs some extra work or has a kink in his mechanics that needs to be straightened out this Cactus League season, he might not use a traditional side session in the bullpen under the watchful eye of a pitching coach to fix the problem.
Nowadays, he'll work out his difficulties while facing live hitting.
Citing how well things went for Javier Vazquez during a 68-pitch effort Tuesday in a minor-league, intra-squad game, manager Bob Melvin said he plans to incorporate more of his pitchers into such outings when he or pitching coach Mark Davis feel there is a need.
''You're able to monitor things a little more closely and try some things you might not ordinarily do in a real game, like throw your breaking ball in counts you might not have in the past," Melvin said. ''It gives you time to back off, work on some things you need to work on, yet still face hitters in game-type scenarios."
Closer Greg Aquino, who is slowly nursing his way back into being game-ready after resting a sore elbow, threw to hitters on a side field before Wednesday night's game at Tucson Electric Park against the Texas Rangers.
Jose Valverde, who battled control and timing issues during a shaky, four-walk, five-run outing on Monday, might also face batters during a side session scheduled for today.
''He had his bouts with wildness before. His first time out he did the same thing, and the next time, came out and had a 1-2-3 inning," Melvin said. ''We hope we find the 1-2-3 inning guy his next time out. He'll work on some things in that side session."
Cormier in mix
Right-hander Lance Cormier has emerged as another possible candidate to win a job in the bullpen, although spots are tight. Melvin, however, likes what Cormier offers.
''He's very economical with his pitches, he's not afraid to throw the ball over the plate, and he's got a little deception in his delivery," Melvin said. ''He hides the ball pretty well, his fastball plays a little better than the radar gun shows sometimes because of that, and he's not scared of anybody.
''And when you have success and you throw the ball over the plate, you get the attention of the manager and the pitching coach."
Short hops
Left fielder Luis Gonzalez and third baseman Troy Glaus, both returning from arm surgeries, were scheduled to play again today after starting Wednesday's game. It will be the first back-to-back start in the field for Gonzalez, the second for Glaus.
Both are slated to play in today's split-squad game against Milwaukee at TEP.
• Infielder Alex Cintron and infielder/outfielder Scott Hairston each were held out of Wednesday's game to give them an extra day's rest.
• Left-hander Billy Murphy will be sidelined at least a month with a torn left hamstring.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0317dbacksnb0317.html
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 17, 2005 12:00 AM
TUCSON - The Diamondbacks aren't trying to reinvent the wheel, but when one of their pitchers needs some extra work or has a kink in his mechanics that needs to be straightened out this Cactus League season, he might not use a traditional side session in the bullpen under the watchful eye of a pitching coach to fix the problem.
Nowadays, he'll work out his difficulties while facing live hitting.
Citing how well things went for Javier Vazquez during a 68-pitch effort Tuesday in a minor-league, intra-squad game, manager Bob Melvin said he plans to incorporate more of his pitchers into such outings when he or pitching coach Mark Davis feel there is a need.
''You're able to monitor things a little more closely and try some things you might not ordinarily do in a real game, like throw your breaking ball in counts you might not have in the past," Melvin said. ''It gives you time to back off, work on some things you need to work on, yet still face hitters in game-type scenarios."
Closer Greg Aquino, who is slowly nursing his way back into being game-ready after resting a sore elbow, threw to hitters on a side field before Wednesday night's game at Tucson Electric Park against the Texas Rangers.
Jose Valverde, who battled control and timing issues during a shaky, four-walk, five-run outing on Monday, might also face batters during a side session scheduled for today.
''He had his bouts with wildness before. His first time out he did the same thing, and the next time, came out and had a 1-2-3 inning," Melvin said. ''We hope we find the 1-2-3 inning guy his next time out. He'll work on some things in that side session."
Cormier in mix
Right-hander Lance Cormier has emerged as another possible candidate to win a job in the bullpen, although spots are tight. Melvin, however, likes what Cormier offers.
''He's very economical with his pitches, he's not afraid to throw the ball over the plate, and he's got a little deception in his delivery," Melvin said. ''He hides the ball pretty well, his fastball plays a little better than the radar gun shows sometimes because of that, and he's not scared of anybody.
''And when you have success and you throw the ball over the plate, you get the attention of the manager and the pitching coach."
Short hops
Left fielder Luis Gonzalez and third baseman Troy Glaus, both returning from arm surgeries, were scheduled to play again today after starting Wednesday's game. It will be the first back-to-back start in the field for Gonzalez, the second for Glaus.
Both are slated to play in today's split-squad game against Milwaukee at TEP.
• Infielder Alex Cintron and infielder/outfielder Scott Hairston each were held out of Wednesday's game to give them an extra day's rest.
• Left-hander Billy Murphy will be sidelined at least a month with a torn left hamstring.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0317dbacksnb0317.html
