After missing a full month, I'm just not ready to start, and I think I proved that Sunday in Detroit. I pitched well out of the bullpen for two innings in Toronto, so the manager and I talked about it, and that's what I'll do the rest of the week here. |
Before, I was feeling something when I'd pull my body through the delivery. We taped it up a little today, and it felt great. |
Did I wear myself out in the bullpen? I don't know. I don't think so. I never have before. I've never gone from feeling like I did in the bullpen to feeling like I did out there on the mound. |
Early in the season, you want to go out there, get your innings in and make a good start and keep us in the game. That's what everyone has done for us so far. |
I called the folks on Sunday when there was talk the storm would be a big one. I wondered about boarding up my house. They said the storms aren't much when they get to us, and the prediction was this one would turn east once it hit land. |
I can get on a routine now and that's something I wasn't doing the last two weeks. |
I had a pretty wacky game, I never could find myself or find a rhythm. I tried everything. Maybe I tried too many things. Nothing worked. |
I just got tired. I hadn't started a game in a month. And after throwing long toss, then a bullpen, I just ran out of gas. ... My arm is fine. |
I think everybody cares about what they've got to do this year. We've lost for two years in a row. Obviously, I haven't pitched great in the last two seasons. I know what I'm capable of doing or I feel like I'm capable of doing out there every time I step on the mound. |
I think we have one of the best defenses in the league. We've got guys behind us who make the tough plays look routine. |
I was able to make pitches right from the get-go. The biggest focus is trying to establish the strike zone early with my two-seam fastball and throw some changeups. |
I was right here for four years in a row. (Left-handed pitcher) Ryan Anderson was No. 1 every year. There was one year where he was injured and didn't pitch at all, and he was still No. 1. |
I wasn't trying to strike anyone out, not until I got two outs. I just couldn't get them to put the ball on the ground for a double play. |
I'll maintain it for now. Then, hopefully in a couple weeks it will be gone. |
I'm consistent with the five pitches I throw and doing what I want to do. |