Carlos Beltran told reporters that he may sit out the first few exhibition games next month. He is still recovering from knee surgeries in the offseason. Make no mistake, he is in Florida taking batting practice and according to witnesses he is looking really great. He is just unable to turn bases and run at full strength but has every intention of being ready on Opening Day. And he better be ready after his announcement to Jimmy Rollins and the Phillies.
Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez decided to take it easy on Saturday while returning to the mound to practice. "I’m feeling OK," he said. "It was my first time on the mound and I didn’t throw at 100 percent today." Reports say he left the mound after throwing only 35 pitches.
And last but not least, Billy Wagner spoke his mind once again, announcing that he may need less time on the mound this year. "There’s no doubt, the older you get, the more you have to take care of yourself…" Wagner said. "…You have to be used in your element, in your role, and not abused."
I don’t know guys. I think that Beltran and El Duque can get away with playing less until they fully recover, but Wagner is just bellyaching again. There’s something about a healthy relief pitcher under the age of 40 complaining about being over-worked. And maybe he was last year, sure that’s arguable, however its a new year lets get a new mindset.
