San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Watson says he’ll be ready to go in opener
Relief pitchers don’t need a full spring training to prepare for a season, and the proof is Tony Watson, who appeared in his first intrasquad game Friday night and said he’ll be comfortable to pitch in Thursday’s season opener at Dodger Stadium.
“I try to make sure when the bell rings, I’m ready to go and my stuff is where I want it to be,” the veteran lefty said. “I’m treating this like it’s March.”
Watson, 35, who missed the first spring training because of shoulder tightness, was eased into Spring Training 2.0. Relievers don’t need to get too stretched out if they’re to pitch no more than an inning at the season’s outset. Manager Gabe Kapler said Watson will pitch in Monday’s exhibition against the A’s at the Coliseum.
Bullpen roles haven’t been doled out, but Watson is one of the few relievers in camp with lateinning experience and will be relied on for highintensity work, including perhaps closing games.
“There’s a lot of competition, a lot of arms,” Watson said, “and we’re going to use a lot of arms, especially in a 60game season. It’s a sprint now. There’s probably not established roles, just mixing and matching and figuring out a way to win every night. I think guys have been mostly open to it.”
After a scoreless, twostrikeout inning Friday, Watson said he felt good about his command and changeup. He said he expects his velocity, which topped out at 88 mph, to increase. Overall, he said he’s in a good place heading into the season, and the off time proved to be beneficial.
At home in Florida, Watson was seeing a physical therapist, working out and throwing. He had different throwing partners, including his wife, Cassie, a former college softball player, and bought a portable mound to throw bullpen sessions in his backyard.
“She kept me going. It was a good combo. It worked,” said Watson, who smiled when asked about the experience. “I wasn’t taking it easy on her.”
Briefly: Outfielder Heliot Ramos is receiving treatment for a leg infection, according to Kapler, who said it won’t be a major setback. Kapler didn’t give an expected timetable . ... All 13 coaches will travel to Los Angeles, though eight will be permitted in the dugout (counting the bullpen coach). The eight include two hitting coaches( Donnie Ecker, Justin Viele), two pitching coaches (Andrew Bailey, Ethan Katz), bench coach Kai Correa, thirdbase coach Ron Wotus, firstbase coach Antoan Richardson and bullpen coach Craig Albernaz. Also, quality assurance coach Nick Ortiz will be in the dugout as an interpreter.