Pedro Martinez spent time in Lakewood today, getting his side bull pen session in, between starts. Pedro waited out a rain storm by riding the stationary bicycle and exercising in the team's clubhouse. After the weather improved, Pedro took the field with back up BlueClaws catcher Kyle Lafrenz and threw long toss, prior to his 53 pitch bullpen session. Pedro worked mostly from the stretch, throwing pitches and just working on his mechanics. Pedro signed many autographs for eager phans, afterward. After the session, Pedro spoke with the media and here's some of that.Pedro speaking on today's session...
That's what I wanted...to go out there and work from the stretch a little bit. I struggled the last time only from the stretch, so we wanted to work specifically on the pitches that I missed from the stretch, and location. Like I said before, I thought it was something that can be quickly corrected and I hope I put it into play very quickly.
Pedro speaking on if there's an understood time table on when he might debut with the Major League Phillies...
I would like to pitch right now. But it's not up to me. It's up to being in the same kind of shape that the team is, which is tippy top shape and ready to win ball games. That's what we all wanted.
Pedro's thoughts on joining the team late and his short season being an advantage or disadvantage...
In some ways it's a disadvantage because you're not fully ready, like (the other pitchers) are. But as far as rest is concerned, I should be fresh and they're going to be a little tired. So the sharpness, for me, is going to be at a disadvantage. But I guess that the rest that I'm getting is going to be to my advantage.
Pedro on his next active day, Wednesday....
I'm gonna do another rehab to try and correct the things that we were working on today. And from there, we'll decide for the next one.
Pedro on if he knows where he'll be on Wednesday (Reports this evening state that he will start for Reading)...
No, not yet. I actually didn't know where I was doing my side (session) today. The guy just drove me over.
Pedro talking about the Lakewood fans and facility...
For class A, I think it's a really beautiful stadium, and (there are) a lot of fans. I see a lot of fans, so it must be a good town for baseball.
Pedro about his excitement level for each rehab outing...
It's not this outing. It's the fact that this is going to get me to where I want to be as soon as possible. It's really a motivation to go out there and work hard and make it back to Philly soon.
Pedro about any advice he could give to younger players during these stops in the minors...
My advice is to be persistent, be disciplined and continue to work hard.
Pedro on the BlueClaws players surrounding his side session and trying to take things in from watching him...I would do the same thing, if I was in their position. I would try to find anything I could learn from that pitcher there. And, ya know, they're smart. They know what they're looking for and I'm willing to give it all. I'm willing to pitch to them whenever I can in the amount of time I have.
Pedro on working mainly from the stretch today and if that's gearing him toward a role as a reliever...
No, we're trained. We're paid to do that...with starters, the ones that are able to do both. That's why you have seen so many starters become relievers, and you rarely see a reliever become a starter. But you'll find starters are able to do both. And working from the stretch is something normal for us...and probably for longer than the relievers. The relievers do it because they have to come in those situations, but WE do it all the time, over and over.
Pedro speaking about how he would feel if the Phillies wanted to use him as a reliever...
If they do it, or they tell me, I'm an employee. I must do whatever they tell me.
---------------------------
Follow PhoulBallz on Twitter HERE!
Comments