The Palm Beach Post

Doolittle adding pitches to arsenal

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Sean Doolittle threw two sliders and a couple changeups Saturday afternoon, choices that wouldn’t earn much notice with most major league pitchers, but constitute­s a significan­t developmen­t for the Nationals’ closer.

Doolittle rarely throws sliders. He almost never throws his change-up. In fact, over the last five seasons, only three relievers have thrown a greater percentage of fastballs than he has: Orioles closer Zach Britton, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen and Rockies’ lefty Jake McGee. Closers can thrive with just a fastball.

This offseason, and now this spring, Doolittle renewed a career-long concerted effort to add legitimate off-speed pitches to his mix.

“It’s definitely been a point of emphasis,” Doolittle said. “I think in the two outings I’ve had, I’ve thrown more sliders to righties than I think I have in my whole career. … The change-up has continued to progress from where it was last year; that’s a pitch I felt comfortabl­e with over the second half of last season.”

The 31-year-old missed time with shoulder trouble last year, and has a history of similar issues forcing him to the disabled list. Manager Dave Martinez has Ryan Madson and Brandon Kintzler to close on days when Doolittle needs a break.

For more coverage of the Nationals, go to Washington Post.com. changed, Hinch said the Astros might pluck him from the Fresno starting rotation again to fill in as a starter or reliever in the majors this season.

For more coverage of the Astros, go to Chron.com.

 ?? JEFF ROBERSON / AP ?? Over the last five seasons, only three relievers have thrown a greater percentage of fastballs than Washington Nationals closer Sean Doolittle has.
JEFF ROBERSON / AP Over the last five seasons, only three relievers have thrown a greater percentage of fastballs than Washington Nationals closer Sean Doolittle has.

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