After Joe Blanton's rehab appearance with the Phillies single A club, the Lakewood BlueClaws, on Tuesday evening, he spoke to the media. Here's a run down of some things the injured pitcher had to say...
On the outing (2 innings, 2 strike outs, 13 pitches, 11 for strikes)...
I went out, good long toss, good bullpen. No pain with either one. If I had normal 5 days rest I probably would have thrown more pitches. I threw a lot in the bullpen and had a good long toss, so I'll just take that into my next rehab start.
On if he wanted to pitch another inning, as he undercut his expected pitch limit of 30 by shutting down the Hagerstown team on 13 pitches over 2 innings...
That was the plan, to go that far. I think I have an outing in a couple days, so...
On if he feels like he is ahead of schedule for a return to the big league club...
I think (the estimate for down time) was 3-6 weeks and I think the whole time we were shooting for the 3. Be optimistic....I've never been hurt before, so I didn't really know how to take it one way or the other, so that's what we were shooting for.
On if there have been lingering effects from the injury or soreness...
No. I threw two bullpens with a day off in between in Philly, and there was a day off before this one. I never felt any soreness from any of those and I never got stiff. Tomorrow will be another good test to see how I feel after some game action. Ya know, (I) put a little more effort level behind the pitches.
On his estimated return date with the Phillies...
It's kind of up to (the team). All I can do...is do what I can do, listen to the trainers and get myself healthy. My mechanics are pretty (much) there.
On his impression of FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood...
It was good. I was only out there a couple of innings, but....I've never pitched in "the SALLY League" before...so it looked like a really nice park and a good crowd and a really nice stadium.
On the extent of his next rehab outing...
I'll see what the plan is. Probably around 45-50 (pitches), about 3-5 innings. I'm just guessing.
On what he's been up to during the down time...
There wasn't a whole lot of days off. I've been doing a lot of arm exercises, from when I got hurt, so I kept my shoulder and elbow nice and strong. I've been playing long toss for a good bit too.
On if he feels the late start after the DL stint could help him in the long run this season, rest wise....
Not really. I've been a 200 inning guy. I haven't always gotten 200-plus, but I've always been around basically 194-197. Always like that, and usually as the season goes, I get better. I hope to still push to 200 (innings).
On who his favorite pitcher was growing up...
Nolan Ryan. Just tough-nosed...went out there everyday. You could see his intensity on the mound, that's what I always liked.
-----------------------------------
Read all about Blanton's Lakewood rehab outing by clicking HERE.
Check me out on the radio today, talking Phillies baseball with The Shore Sports Report. I should be on around 3:20pm with Mike & Joe. Tune in on WOBM AM 1160 and Fox Sports 1310 AM by the shore...or listen live on the web by clicking here.
Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE.
On the outing (2 innings, 2 strike outs, 13 pitches, 11 for strikes)...
I went out, good long toss, good bullpen. No pain with either one. If I had normal 5 days rest I probably would have thrown more pitches. I threw a lot in the bullpen and had a good long toss, so I'll just take that into my next rehab start.
On if he wanted to pitch another inning, as he undercut his expected pitch limit of 30 by shutting down the Hagerstown team on 13 pitches over 2 innings...
That was the plan, to go that far. I think I have an outing in a couple days, so...
On if he feels like he is ahead of schedule for a return to the big league club...
I think (the estimate for down time) was 3-6 weeks and I think the whole time we were shooting for the 3. Be optimistic....I've never been hurt before, so I didn't really know how to take it one way or the other, so that's what we were shooting for.
On if there have been lingering effects from the injury or soreness...
No. I threw two bullpens with a day off in between in Philly, and there was a day off before this one. I never felt any soreness from any of those and I never got stiff. Tomorrow will be another good test to see how I feel after some game action. Ya know, (I) put a little more effort level behind the pitches.
On his estimated return date with the Phillies...
It's kind of up to (the team). All I can do...is do what I can do, listen to the trainers and get myself healthy. My mechanics are pretty (much) there.
On his impression of FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood...
It was good. I was only out there a couple of innings, but....I've never pitched in "the SALLY League" before...so it looked like a really nice park and a good crowd and a really nice stadium.
On the extent of his next rehab outing...
I'll see what the plan is. Probably around 45-50 (pitches), about 3-5 innings. I'm just guessing.
On what he's been up to during the down time...
There wasn't a whole lot of days off. I've been doing a lot of arm exercises, from when I got hurt, so I kept my shoulder and elbow nice and strong. I've been playing long toss for a good bit too.
On if he feels the late start after the DL stint could help him in the long run this season, rest wise....
Not really. I've been a 200 inning guy. I haven't always gotten 200-plus, but I've always been around basically 194-197. Always like that, and usually as the season goes, I get better. I hope to still push to 200 (innings).
On who his favorite pitcher was growing up...
Nolan Ryan. Just tough-nosed...went out there everyday. You could see his intensity on the mound, that's what I always liked.
-----------------------------------
Read all about Blanton's Lakewood rehab outing by clicking HERE.
Check me out on the radio today, talking Phillies baseball with The Shore Sports Report. I should be on around 3:20pm with Mike & Joe. Tune in on WOBM AM 1160 and Fox Sports 1310 AM by the shore...or listen live on the web by clicking here.
Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE.
