New Red Sox pitching coach Curt Young, who is in Boston to work with participants in the Red Sox' Rookie Development Program, said that he's had the opportunity to touch base with almost all of the pitchers with whom he'll be working. He's talked this winter with every member of the staff except for Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima.
Josh Beckett, coming off a career-worst 5.78 ERA in which he was limited to 127 innings by injuries, was a topic of particular interest. Young suggested that he is still just getting to know the Sox' 2010 Opening Day starter, but that there is reason for optimism with the right-hander.
"The main thing is health and it seems to be that he’s very healthy and really looking forward to the start of this year," said Young. " I’m really not inclined to say [what happened in 2010] until I really sit down with Josh and see him throw a baseball. I’ve watched a lot of video. I’m really not going to form an opinion that way right now until, like I say, I'm with him. ... [T]alking to Josh, really interesting guy, very possessed on what he does and really looking forward to working with Josh."
For complete Red Sox coverage, visit weei.com/redsox [1].
Links:
[1] http://www.weei.com/redsox
[2] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/red-sox