Slow and easy the mandate for Rodgers, Gustave
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Astros will be limiting the throwing opportunities in spring training for righthanders Brady Rodgers and Jandel Gustave, who are recovering from Tommy John surgery.
They will not pitch bullpen sessions, but they will participate in pitchers’ fielding practice and “some light throwing,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Both of them are tracking around the same time this spring, where they should throw some bullpens in the next six weeks.”
Rodgers, a 27-year-old Richmond native and former thirdround draft pick, said his arm is “the best it’s ever felt” at the start of a spring training.
He injured his arm last spring, following his best season. He had a 2.86 ERA in 132 innings pitched with Class AAA Fresno in 2016.
Through his Tommy John rehab, he discovered that he should have been doing twice as much arm-related exercises for years. Problems with his shoulder affected his elbow, which led to the surgery.
“Now I know what it is I have to do to keep my shoulder as strong as possible,” he said.
Rodgers estimated he will throw his first bullpen session in late May or early June. He currently is throwing on flat ground.
“(I’m focused on) taking everything I do in the weight room and training room even harder to get myself as healthy as possible and to where I never have to sit out another season again,” he said.
Martes is making favorable impression
Astros righthander Francis Martes, 22, is showing in the first week at The Ballpark of The Palm Beaches that his potential is growing.
He arrived with his husky build trimmed, his motion slowed and his fastball making the alarming sound of a shotgun blast.
“He’s throwing as hard as anybody in camp,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “It’s still really early, but he came really prepared.”
Martes also displayed better drop on his changeup in his first bullpen session.
Martes said he sucked up the agony of more core exercises and committed to a throwing program during his offseason in the Dominican Republic.
A former top prospect in the organization, Martes impressed as a rookie last year with his high-90s heater and good breaking ball. His inconsistency (5.80 ERA with 31 walks and 69 strikeouts in 541⁄3 innings pitched) was rooted in a rushed delivery.
Hinch said Martes has slowed the tempo from the moment he separates his hands to when he releases the ball. This appears to be improving Martes’ control. Hinch noted that Dallas Keuchel is a good example of consistent timing during that stretch of his motion.