Is everyone getting excited or what? Boston Red Sox baseball is right around the corner as pitchers and catchers officially report tomorrow morning. That hasn’t stopped them from showing up though and doing some throwing and workouts.
Most all of the pitchers took to the mound today for some throwing and pitching coach John Farrell was happy with Josh Beckett.
“With the prolonged rest, a chance for his body to recover, it’s really what he needed most is just to get away from the game, to allow his body to recoup physically, which it has done,” pitching coach John Farrell said, of Beckett. “His workouts, even when he started back in with the strength and conditioning program, the early part of the throwing program, there were no issues. He comes in today and as his progression has continued he’s probably more in line with where he was in ’07 rather than the start of ’08 large in part because he had a couple extra weeks to rest and recover.”
Hopefully Beckett can stay healthy this spring and then go out and execute his pitches like he did during his fantastic 2007 season.
Brad Penny also threw today and reported that he was pain-free.
Terry Francona also spoke to the assembled media about the improved health of David Ortiz and Mike Lowell.
A few more Red Sox players reported today and include Tim Wakefield, Clay Buchholz, Javier Lopez, Wes Littleton and George Kottaras.
I can honestly tell you that despite everything that I have going on right now, I am pumped for the start of spring training. There’s nothing like hearing the glove pop on a bullpen fastball.
Beckett throws bullpen session [Extra Bases]
More on Beckett [Extra Bases]
Dice-K and the WBC [ProJo Sox Blog]
Joining the fray [Full Count]
Penny Patter [Extra Bases]
Lester’s in midseason form [ProJo Sox Blog]
Video: Proof that Josh Beckett and Jon Lester still exist [Full Count]
Video: More proof that Josh Beckett can still throw [Full Count]
Wakefield arrives in camp [ProJo Sox Blog]
Baseball Prospectus picks the Red Sox to win the AL East [Baseball Prospectus]
State of the Sox: Starting Pitching [WBZ]
Who will improve the most on their 2008 season? [The Bottom Line]
