Peavy ready to start
Jake Peavy will start Thursday at Triple-A Charlotte as he approaches his White Sox debut.
Peavy, 28, could pitch two or three innings Thursday as he continues to build arm strength after a six-week layoff. He threw about 50 pitches before Saturday's game at U.S. Cellular Field, where he also practiced fielding drills to test his right ankle.
Here is a transcript of Peavy's interview with reporters before Saturday's game.
On today's session:
It went well. I think we threw 50, a little bit over 50 pitches maybe. But things went well. It was the first time on the mound with batters in. I’ve still got a long way to go, but [it was] a good first step. The biggest thing is [being] pain free and just trying to get my arm strength back, get my legs out under me. But it’s looking good. I think I’m going to go out on the road here shortly, maybe Thursday I think, and make a start, just a few innings for Charlotte. But we had a good stepping stone today.
On how today's session was different than his last session:
Hitters [were] in there. And obviously using your bullpen session. Go to your fastball, go to your changeup, go to your cutters. Today it was a fastball to one side of the plate. Moving the catcher around. More like a game and trying to get ready. We have a rehab start on Thursday. Trying to get ready to make different pitches to different locations today. A little bit higher intensity. I’ve still got a long way to go. Like I said, arm strength is continually building. I’m sure tomorrow I’ll be quite a bit more sore after than I was after a couple of bullpen sessions.
On whether he set a specific date to return:
We didn’t. I think we’re just going to try to take it day by day. We do have something mapped out, but it’s all tentative. I know five days from now I’m going to start from Charlotte, and we’re just going to go from there. Throw a side session Monday in Charlotte with that team. While this team is on the road, spend the time with Charlotte. Make a start or two there. Just see how things go and progress. The biggest thing is I’ve got to build the pitch count up, build my endurance, arm strength, and sharpness. When all that comes together, I’ll make a start here. But everything is tentative as of now.
On practicing fielding drills:
We did that today. The first time today I was able to get off the mound, cover first base, field bunts, throw the ball to first, throw the ball to second base, start double plays. All that went well. I think the ankle is obviously still on the mend, not as strong as it would be, but I’m able to go through normal activity. Nothing was even remotely painful today. We’re going to continue to treat the ankle, but I believe now it’s a non-issue.
On wanting to increase his stamina:
Yeah. Like I said, I’ve got a long way to go getting my legs back strong. That’s the biggest thing for me is getting my legs under me and getting my arm strength back. Your legs are your power. You throw a ball 94 mph, you’re going to use your legs and arms and your torso as well. For the longest time, six to eight week period, I was able to not do anything. So I’m just still trying to get my strength back to be who I want to be and have the velocity and the stamina that I know I want to have.
On whether it still feels like spring training:
It does. I really haven’t went through a really strenuous throwing program. I just started playing some catch, a little bit of long toss, and then we jumped on the mound just trying to start the process as quick as we can. I hope things come around sooner rather than later, but I’m going to just let my body tell me what to do. Like I said, we’ve got a plan mapped out through the end of the month. When and where I’m going to start for this team, we’ll just kind of take it start by start. Next thing I know is on my plan is a bullpen Monday and then a start Thursday, albeit two, three innings maybe, in Charlotte. But it’s a start.
-Tom Musick
