Sunday, March 26, 2006
Notes: Sturtze makes return to mound
03/12/2006
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Tanyon Sturtze took the mound for the first time this spring on Sunday, and for the right-hander, it couldn't have come at a better time.
Sturtze, who spent the winter rehabbing and strengthening his tired right shoulder, threw a scoreless inning against Cleveland, allowing one infield single.
"I needed to go slow the whole spring, and today was finally the day to get into a game," Sturtze said. "I was starting to itch a little bit; I felt like I was starting to get behind, where maybe I wouldn't leave camp with the team. That's not what I want, so I wanted to get going."
"Sturtze was fine," said manager Joe Torre. "He had a big smile on his face. He wasn't hurting, and who knows how long it's been since that's happened."
Although he faced just three hitters and threw only eight pitches, Sturtze felt like his arm strength was there, as was his command.
Sturtze believes he needs between eight and 12 innings of work this spring to be ready for the April 3 opener. The Yankees have 17 games left in Florida this spring, plus two in Arizona, so he shouldn't have much trouble reaching that goal.
"I'm just shooting to get ready for Opening Day," Sturtze said. "Today was the first one, I felt good out there, and that's all I'm worried about."
Slow and steady: Carl Pavano threw his fourth bullpen session of the spring on Sunday, the second time he threw entirely from the top of the mound. Pavano threw 40 pitches, taking another step toward his return, which is expected in mid-April.
"Today, my main focus wasn't as much on mechanics as much as just slowing myself down," Pavano said. "I get a little anxious, especially with my slider, because I haven't been throwing it a lot. I tried to get into a better rhythm throughout, and when I got to my slider, I felt a little more locked in."
Pavano is a few weeks behind the rest of the staff, having gotten a late start because of a balky back. The right-hander also missed the second half of 2005 with rotator cuff tendinitis, but he says his arm feels strong.
Pavano will take an extra day off before his next bullpen session, which will take place on Wednesday. He will increase his pitch count to 50, then throw a bullpen session next week.
Despite the urge to speed up his return, Pavano is listening to team trainers and following the routine that his prescribed for him.
"It's hard, but if I look at the results we've been having with the way we've been going, how I've been feeling, as anxious as I am, I know this is the best thing for me," Pavano said. "Sometimes, I'd like to go a little faster, but they say it's not in my best interests. I'm listening to them. Every time I've gone out there, I've gotten better."
"I think he's probably more excited about feeling so good than frustrated about not being able to pitch," said Torre. "The results have been good."
Jason's return: Jason Giambi will likely be back in the lineup on Tuesday, when the Yankees host the Cardinals at Legends Field.
Giambi, who has been out for six days with a strained left calf muscle, participated in team workouts on Saturday and Sunday. Torre contemplated taking Giambi to Bradenton on Monday, but without the DH rule, he decided to wait another day.
Special visit: Bob Feller stopped by the Yankees' dugout during batting practice on Sunday, asking the Yankees manager to sign a dozen baseballs for his Iowa museum.
After Feller left, Torre remembered the first time he met the Hall of Fame pitcher. It was during the early stage of Torre's career, in 1960-61, and Feller was trying to sell him an insurance policy -- which he bought.
Said Torre: "Who wouldn't buy one from Bob Feller?"
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Tanyon Sturtze took the mound for the first time this spring on Sunday, and for the right-hander, it couldn't have come at a better time.
Sturtze, who spent the winter rehabbing and strengthening his tired right shoulder, threw a scoreless inning against Cleveland, allowing one infield single.
"I needed to go slow the whole spring, and today was finally the day to get into a game," Sturtze said. "I was starting to itch a little bit; I felt like I was starting to get behind, where maybe I wouldn't leave camp with the team. That's not what I want, so I wanted to get going."
"Sturtze was fine," said manager Joe Torre. "He had a big smile on his face. He wasn't hurting, and who knows how long it's been since that's happened."
Although he faced just three hitters and threw only eight pitches, Sturtze felt like his arm strength was there, as was his command.
Sturtze believes he needs between eight and 12 innings of work this spring to be ready for the April 3 opener. The Yankees have 17 games left in Florida this spring, plus two in Arizona, so he shouldn't have much trouble reaching that goal.
"I'm just shooting to get ready for Opening Day," Sturtze said. "Today was the first one, I felt good out there, and that's all I'm worried about."
Slow and steady: Carl Pavano threw his fourth bullpen session of the spring on Sunday, the second time he threw entirely from the top of the mound. Pavano threw 40 pitches, taking another step toward his return, which is expected in mid-April.
"Today, my main focus wasn't as much on mechanics as much as just slowing myself down," Pavano said. "I get a little anxious, especially with my slider, because I haven't been throwing it a lot. I tried to get into a better rhythm throughout, and when I got to my slider, I felt a little more locked in."
Pavano is a few weeks behind the rest of the staff, having gotten a late start because of a balky back. The right-hander also missed the second half of 2005 with rotator cuff tendinitis, but he says his arm feels strong.
Pavano will take an extra day off before his next bullpen session, which will take place on Wednesday. He will increase his pitch count to 50, then throw a bullpen session next week.
Despite the urge to speed up his return, Pavano is listening to team trainers and following the routine that his prescribed for him.
"It's hard, but if I look at the results we've been having with the way we've been going, how I've been feeling, as anxious as I am, I know this is the best thing for me," Pavano said. "Sometimes, I'd like to go a little faster, but they say it's not in my best interests. I'm listening to them. Every time I've gone out there, I've gotten better."
"I think he's probably more excited about feeling so good than frustrated about not being able to pitch," said Torre. "The results have been good."
Jason's return: Jason Giambi will likely be back in the lineup on Tuesday, when the Yankees host the Cardinals at Legends Field.
Giambi, who has been out for six days with a strained left calf muscle, participated in team workouts on Saturday and Sunday. Torre contemplated taking Giambi to Bradenton on Monday, but without the DH rule, he decided to wait another day.
Special visit: Bob Feller stopped by the Yankees' dugout during batting practice on Sunday, asking the Yankees manager to sign a dozen baseballs for his Iowa museum.
After Feller left, Torre remembered the first time he met the Hall of Fame pitcher. It was during the early stage of Torre's career, in 1960-61, and Feller was trying to sell him an insurance policy -- which he bought.
Said Torre: "Who wouldn't buy one from Bob Feller?"
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
