Baseball Guru
02-16-2003, 08:55 PM
Right-hander says his shoulder is healthy
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Pedro Astacio dispelled a myth on Sunday. His nickname of "Mullah" or "Mule" didn't actually stem from his ability to work countless innings and grind it out start after start. He actually acquired the moniker while horsing around with teammates early in his career, kicking at them like a mule during a staged donnybrook.
Later, the nickname morphed into what it is today as Astacio demonstrated an ability to work hard and chew up innings on the mound. The Mets are hoping that Astacio will live up to the latter-day version of his nickname this season and not just kick around as he did for much of the second half last year.
Astacio was 12-11 last year but was 1-7 in his last nine starts with a 10.80 ERA over that stretch. Though he gave up six earned runs or more in six of those starts, he isn't concerned. He says he watched some videotape of the last few outings, figured out that there were a few mechanical glitches and now he's ready to move on. Last year ... well, that's last year.
"I was opening up [my shoulder] too soon and I was moving too much to one side," Astacio said. "But that's already in the past. What can you do about it? I'm preparing myself and my body for this year. I started to play catch in January and I feel fine."
Astacio continues to insist his problems were not physical last year. The Mets agree, pointing to the fact that he never lost any velocity during his late-season slump. Astacio showed some pop on Sunday, crackling a few fastballs into Vance Wilson's mitt during pitchers' bunting drills.
So, if anyone is looking at the partially torn labrum in Astacio's right shoulder as a reason for his demise, don't. The injury may have caused him to miss the last two months of the season in 2001 but he says it was not a factor last year.
In fact, he laughed on Sunday when it was mentioned. He also laughed at the notion of getting an X-ray or an MRI done on his shoulder this winter just to be sure.
"My shoulder feels great," he said. "I don't need any tests. When I go to see the doctor he tells me almost 90 percent of all pitchers have labrum problems."
Manager Art Howe isn't worried about Astacio. But he did seem to indicate that he would tinker just a bit with how the big right-hander is used this year.
"This guy throws a lot of innings," Howe said. "He said he feels fine but we'll keep an eye on him early and how many pitches he throws."
Howe said he would likely keep all his starters on a pitch count early in the year with the thinking being that maybe Astacio threw too many last April and May. Astacio averaged a shade less that seven innings a start through his first 11 starts in April in May. Though he was 6-2 over that stretch, he pitched a pair of complete games and went eight innings on another occasion.
The skipper speaks: "He's the only one who knows how he feels so there is no rush. He's just taking a while to get used to doing everything. That's actually kind of tough. It doesn't matter how much you work out on your own. You get down here in Florida with the sand base they have and you get different aches and pains no matter how much you do back home." -- Art Howe on David Cone not throwing Sunday. Cone is expected to throw Monday.
Physical fitness: Steve Trachsel was scheduled to throw on Sunday but didn't after suffering mild back spasms. Howe said that it was not a big deal and that Trachsel "just cramped up." The spasms are not related to the neck/back injury that landed Trachsel on the disabled list last season. He is expected to throw again within a day or two. ... Pitcher Bobby Munoz appeared to be suffering from a tender groin at one point during morning drills. ... Pitcher Grant Roberts [shoulder] participated in drills but still hasn't thrown. His being idle is precautionary and he is expected to get back on the mound in the not too distant future.
Around the horn: Jose Reyes participated in his first practice of the spring, fielding ground balls along with Ty Wigginton. He also worked on pickoffs and took some swings in live batting practice before heading in to work with the strength and conditioning team. Afterwards, Reyes reported that his legs felt fine. ... Joe McEwing donned the catcher's gear and caught several pitchers on the back mounds during the morning bullpen sessions.
From the clubhouse: The Mets handed out new caps for Spring Training on Sunday. They are royal blue and made of a mesh-like material. The beanie on the cap is orange and there is an orange stripe around the bottom half of the brim. Combined with the new orange and blue practice jerseys, it looked like the University of Florida Gators were practicing on Sunday.
Did you know?: Munoz appears to be the biggest player in camp. At 6-foot-7 and close to 225 pounds, Munoz looks more like a tight end than a pitcher. He's even sporting a tight end's number, 81. He towers over almost everyone in the clubhouse and with a heavily tattooed back and arms, he has quite an imposing presence.
Off the field: The turkey vultures are out in force in Port St. Lucie and the "Beware of Alligators" sign along the right field fence of Thomas J. White Stadium remains disconcerting. But a new nature twist was added to the mix on Sunday when an armadillo was spotted in the parking lot just outside the stadium offices.
The rumor: According to those who would know, Sunday's published report that the Mets were chasing down Boston's Shea Hillenbrand and/or Florida's Mike Lowell was more smoke than fire. The Sox are still seeking top-level prospects for Hillenbrand despite devaluing him over the course of the last several weeks. The Mets aren't about to deal any of their top youngsters. As for Lowell, Florida doesn't seem inclined to deal him no matter how disenchanted he may be.
Weather: It was snowing in the northeast but Port St. Lucie was partly cloudy with the high in the low 80s. A brief rain shower occurred once practice ended on Sunday.
Quoting 'em: "That's a nice marketing gimmick. We don't eat like that." -- Australian native Justin Huber on the Australian-themed Outback Steakhouse in Port St. Lucie.
Coming up: The veterans are expected to report to camp on Tuesday though Jeromy Burnitz is scheduled to arrive on Monday. Timo Perez was expected to arrive late Sunday afternoon.
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Pedro Astacio dispelled a myth on Sunday. His nickname of "Mullah" or "Mule" didn't actually stem from his ability to work countless innings and grind it out start after start. He actually acquired the moniker while horsing around with teammates early in his career, kicking at them like a mule during a staged donnybrook.
Later, the nickname morphed into what it is today as Astacio demonstrated an ability to work hard and chew up innings on the mound. The Mets are hoping that Astacio will live up to the latter-day version of his nickname this season and not just kick around as he did for much of the second half last year.
Astacio was 12-11 last year but was 1-7 in his last nine starts with a 10.80 ERA over that stretch. Though he gave up six earned runs or more in six of those starts, he isn't concerned. He says he watched some videotape of the last few outings, figured out that there were a few mechanical glitches and now he's ready to move on. Last year ... well, that's last year.
"I was opening up [my shoulder] too soon and I was moving too much to one side," Astacio said. "But that's already in the past. What can you do about it? I'm preparing myself and my body for this year. I started to play catch in January and I feel fine."
Astacio continues to insist his problems were not physical last year. The Mets agree, pointing to the fact that he never lost any velocity during his late-season slump. Astacio showed some pop on Sunday, crackling a few fastballs into Vance Wilson's mitt during pitchers' bunting drills.
So, if anyone is looking at the partially torn labrum in Astacio's right shoulder as a reason for his demise, don't. The injury may have caused him to miss the last two months of the season in 2001 but he says it was not a factor last year.
In fact, he laughed on Sunday when it was mentioned. He also laughed at the notion of getting an X-ray or an MRI done on his shoulder this winter just to be sure.
"My shoulder feels great," he said. "I don't need any tests. When I go to see the doctor he tells me almost 90 percent of all pitchers have labrum problems."
Manager Art Howe isn't worried about Astacio. But he did seem to indicate that he would tinker just a bit with how the big right-hander is used this year.
"This guy throws a lot of innings," Howe said. "He said he feels fine but we'll keep an eye on him early and how many pitches he throws."
Howe said he would likely keep all his starters on a pitch count early in the year with the thinking being that maybe Astacio threw too many last April and May. Astacio averaged a shade less that seven innings a start through his first 11 starts in April in May. Though he was 6-2 over that stretch, he pitched a pair of complete games and went eight innings on another occasion.
The skipper speaks: "He's the only one who knows how he feels so there is no rush. He's just taking a while to get used to doing everything. That's actually kind of tough. It doesn't matter how much you work out on your own. You get down here in Florida with the sand base they have and you get different aches and pains no matter how much you do back home." -- Art Howe on David Cone not throwing Sunday. Cone is expected to throw Monday.
Physical fitness: Steve Trachsel was scheduled to throw on Sunday but didn't after suffering mild back spasms. Howe said that it was not a big deal and that Trachsel "just cramped up." The spasms are not related to the neck/back injury that landed Trachsel on the disabled list last season. He is expected to throw again within a day or two. ... Pitcher Bobby Munoz appeared to be suffering from a tender groin at one point during morning drills. ... Pitcher Grant Roberts [shoulder] participated in drills but still hasn't thrown. His being idle is precautionary and he is expected to get back on the mound in the not too distant future.
Around the horn: Jose Reyes participated in his first practice of the spring, fielding ground balls along with Ty Wigginton. He also worked on pickoffs and took some swings in live batting practice before heading in to work with the strength and conditioning team. Afterwards, Reyes reported that his legs felt fine. ... Joe McEwing donned the catcher's gear and caught several pitchers on the back mounds during the morning bullpen sessions.
From the clubhouse: The Mets handed out new caps for Spring Training on Sunday. They are royal blue and made of a mesh-like material. The beanie on the cap is orange and there is an orange stripe around the bottom half of the brim. Combined with the new orange and blue practice jerseys, it looked like the University of Florida Gators were practicing on Sunday.
Did you know?: Munoz appears to be the biggest player in camp. At 6-foot-7 and close to 225 pounds, Munoz looks more like a tight end than a pitcher. He's even sporting a tight end's number, 81. He towers over almost everyone in the clubhouse and with a heavily tattooed back and arms, he has quite an imposing presence.
Off the field: The turkey vultures are out in force in Port St. Lucie and the "Beware of Alligators" sign along the right field fence of Thomas J. White Stadium remains disconcerting. But a new nature twist was added to the mix on Sunday when an armadillo was spotted in the parking lot just outside the stadium offices.
The rumor: According to those who would know, Sunday's published report that the Mets were chasing down Boston's Shea Hillenbrand and/or Florida's Mike Lowell was more smoke than fire. The Sox are still seeking top-level prospects for Hillenbrand despite devaluing him over the course of the last several weeks. The Mets aren't about to deal any of their top youngsters. As for Lowell, Florida doesn't seem inclined to deal him no matter how disenchanted he may be.
Weather: It was snowing in the northeast but Port St. Lucie was partly cloudy with the high in the low 80s. A brief rain shower occurred once practice ended on Sunday.
Quoting 'em: "That's a nice marketing gimmick. We don't eat like that." -- Australian native Justin Huber on the Australian-themed Outback Steakhouse in Port St. Lucie.
Coming up: The veterans are expected to report to camp on Tuesday though Jeromy Burnitz is scheduled to arrive on Monday. Timo Perez was expected to arrive late Sunday afternoon.