Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Posted: 5:08 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
CLEARWATER, Fla.Cliff Lee finished his warmups on a bullpen mound and jogged on to the field.
Go get em, Cliff, shouted a voice from the big crowd that pressed against the chain-link fences on an 81-degree day at Carpenter Complex on Tuesday.
For pitchers, spring training is broken into segments:
There is arrival day, when man hugs fill the clubhouse and pitchers swap stories about the offseason.
There are bullpen days, when pitchers get on the mound and start the long process of building the arm strength needed to get through a full season.
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From the bullpen, they graduate to throwing to hitterslive batting practice as it is calledand eventually on to exhibition games. Once the games begin, pitchers start by throwing about 40 pitches and build to about 100 as opening day nears.
Lee shifted his preparation for the season to the live batting practice stage on Tuesday and the big crowd at Carpenter Complex was eager to see him work.
The buzz that started when Lee signed with the Phillies on Dec. 13 has only grown since then. Interest in the lefthanders workouts increased in recent days when it was revealed that he suffered a minor muscle strain on his left side while training last month.
Tuesdays 38-pitch mound session put to rest any concerns about Lees condition.
Thats been gone, Lee said of the muscle strain that created a bit of a stir in camp Monday. I feel fine.
Lees 38 pitches were thrown against a group of hitters that included Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez. Neither swung the bat against Lee, preferring instead to track pitches with their eyes. Getting ready for the season is a progression for the hitters, as well.
Lee threw his full arsenal of pitchesfastball, cutter, breaking ball, changeupduring his fast-moving session.
When it was over, he told pitching coach Rich Dubee that he felt great and could have kept going.
But thats not the point of the drill.
This early, youre just trying to work on things, Lee said. Sometimes too much isnt good. You have to pace yourself. This is all part of the process.
Lee worked on trying to repeat the mechanics of his delivery and pounding the strike zone. Neither are great challenges for the 32-year-old lefty. His delivery is fairly simply and free of unnecessary moving parts. And his control? Well, thats pretty special.
Lee walked just 18 batters in 212 13 innings with Seattle and Texas last season. His 10.28 strikeouts-to-walks ratio was best in the majors. His new teammate, Roy Halladay, had the second-best ratio in the majors at 7.30.
The balance of the Phillies rotation ranked in the top 20 in that category. Roy Oswalt ranked 11th in the majors at 3.51, Cole Hamels 13th at 3.46 and Joe Blanton 19th at 3.12.
Ratios like that will make a pitching coach smile.
Good teams dont walk guys, Dubee said.
Oswalt, Blanton and Kyle Kendrick all threw to hitters Tuesday. While Lee drew the biggest crowd, manager Charlie Manuel spent his time on an adjacent field, watching Oswalt.
I like the way he was throwing, Manuel said of Oswalt. His command was really good.
Oswalt will make his first spring start March 2 against Baltimore. Lee will precede him by a day when he opposes Detroit in Clearwater. Hamels, Blanton and Halladay will start the first three Grapefruit League games, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, respectively.
Lee cant wait to get in a game.
Live batting practice is a necessary part of the process and its another step toward the season, he said. Im looking forward to pitching in some games.
Phillies fans are looking forward to it, too.
Related: Phils set spring rotation; Hamels opens vs. YanksBuy Phillies gear
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com