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02-18-2003, 02:40 AM
D'Amico's health an issue for Pirates
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Like his competitors for the fifth spot in the Pirates' pitching rotation, Jeff D'Amico has intriguing potential and some issues.
The big question about him is his health, given that he has had arm surgery and has been on the disabled list five times in his six-year career. But he was injury free last year in an up-and-down season with the Mets and showed signs early in the season that he could be the pitcher he was in 2000. With the Brewers that year, he was 12-7 with a 2.66 ERA, finishing behind Kevin Brown and Randy Johnson for lowest ERA in the National League.
"In my mind, the only issue is whether or not he's a healthy pitcher," Pirates Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "If he's healthy, he certainly should compete and compete well."
D'Amico, 27, a right-hander, concedes that his health history is an issue. But he said he his arm feels fine three days into spring training as he and the other pitchers ease their way into the competition of Grapefruit League games.
"Everything feels great. Hopefully, I can come in strong, pitch well and be ready to go for the season," D'Amico said yesterday. "It's early in camp and there's a ways to go as far as being game ready, but I feel good this year.
"I definitely have to be on my game. I'd like to make it a tough decision for them."
Competing for a job is nothing new for D'Amico. He was in a battle a year ago in the Mets' camp after he was acquired in a trade with the Brewers. He won a starting job and pitched well early in the season.
"I threw the ball well the first couple of months. Then I went into a rut in the middle of the season. I hit a stretch where I really struggled," D'Amico said.
At the trading deadline,with D'Amico posting a 1-6 record in his previous 10 starts, the Mets made a move for another starting pitcher.
"I got sent to the bullpen. I was the odd man out. I was pitching awful at the time, no doubt about that," said D'Amico, who finished the year with a 6-10 record and a 4.94 ERA.
He pitched the final two months out of the bullpen and did not appear in a game after Sept. 11. He became a free agent when the Mets declined to offer arbitration.
The Pirates, who were seeking experienced pitchers in the off-season, signed D'Amico to a minor-league contract and give him an opportunity to win a spot in the rotation.
"I had a couple of other choices. But I wanted to stay in the National League and obviously a division I was familiar with," D'Amico said. "It's a good opportunity here -- a team that's hopefully on the way back up, a great new ballpark, a great town from what I hear. It's exciting."
Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield believed D'Amico was worthy of a look, especially since he doesn't have to pay D'Amico guaranteed money.
"Every year, there are guys out there who have 'bounce back' years," Littlefield said. "Trying to figure out who those guys are is a challenge. Sometimes, it's relative to health and opportunity. We got a nice one from [Brian] Boehringer last season. Time will tell how it plays out."
At 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, D'Amico is an imposing figure on the mound. But his best pitch is a big curveball that he sets up with an 89 mph fastball and a changeup. He is competing with Brian Meadows, Salomon Torres and Julian Tavarez, among others, for the fifth spot.
"I certainly like the choices we have," McClendon said. "When you bring in enough of them, there's a comfort level that somebody's going to get the job done for you. The name of this game is pitching. The better pitching staff you have, the better off you're going to be. That's not a secret. I'm not here to try to reinvent the wheel. If you have quality starting pitching and a decent bullpen, you're going to stay in a lot of ballgames."
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Robert Dvorchak can be reached at bdvorchak@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1959.
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Like his competitors for the fifth spot in the Pirates' pitching rotation, Jeff D'Amico has intriguing potential and some issues.
The big question about him is his health, given that he has had arm surgery and has been on the disabled list five times in his six-year career. But he was injury free last year in an up-and-down season with the Mets and showed signs early in the season that he could be the pitcher he was in 2000. With the Brewers that year, he was 12-7 with a 2.66 ERA, finishing behind Kevin Brown and Randy Johnson for lowest ERA in the National League.
"In my mind, the only issue is whether or not he's a healthy pitcher," Pirates Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "If he's healthy, he certainly should compete and compete well."
D'Amico, 27, a right-hander, concedes that his health history is an issue. But he said he his arm feels fine three days into spring training as he and the other pitchers ease their way into the competition of Grapefruit League games.
"Everything feels great. Hopefully, I can come in strong, pitch well and be ready to go for the season," D'Amico said yesterday. "It's early in camp and there's a ways to go as far as being game ready, but I feel good this year.
"I definitely have to be on my game. I'd like to make it a tough decision for them."
Competing for a job is nothing new for D'Amico. He was in a battle a year ago in the Mets' camp after he was acquired in a trade with the Brewers. He won a starting job and pitched well early in the season.
"I threw the ball well the first couple of months. Then I went into a rut in the middle of the season. I hit a stretch where I really struggled," D'Amico said.
At the trading deadline,with D'Amico posting a 1-6 record in his previous 10 starts, the Mets made a move for another starting pitcher.
"I got sent to the bullpen. I was the odd man out. I was pitching awful at the time, no doubt about that," said D'Amico, who finished the year with a 6-10 record and a 4.94 ERA.
He pitched the final two months out of the bullpen and did not appear in a game after Sept. 11. He became a free agent when the Mets declined to offer arbitration.
The Pirates, who were seeking experienced pitchers in the off-season, signed D'Amico to a minor-league contract and give him an opportunity to win a spot in the rotation.
"I had a couple of other choices. But I wanted to stay in the National League and obviously a division I was familiar with," D'Amico said. "It's a good opportunity here -- a team that's hopefully on the way back up, a great new ballpark, a great town from what I hear. It's exciting."
Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield believed D'Amico was worthy of a look, especially since he doesn't have to pay D'Amico guaranteed money.
"Every year, there are guys out there who have 'bounce back' years," Littlefield said. "Trying to figure out who those guys are is a challenge. Sometimes, it's relative to health and opportunity. We got a nice one from [Brian] Boehringer last season. Time will tell how it plays out."
At 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, D'Amico is an imposing figure on the mound. But his best pitch is a big curveball that he sets up with an 89 mph fastball and a changeup. He is competing with Brian Meadows, Salomon Torres and Julian Tavarez, among others, for the fifth spot.
"I certainly like the choices we have," McClendon said. "When you bring in enough of them, there's a comfort level that somebody's going to get the job done for you. The name of this game is pitching. The better pitching staff you have, the better off you're going to be. That's not a secret. I'm not here to try to reinvent the wheel. If you have quality starting pitching and a decent bullpen, you're going to stay in a lot of ballgames."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Dvorchak can be reached at bdvorchak@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1959.