Prior struggles in first rehab start

[TB_11]

His speed topped out at 90.

 

Prior felt he improved his mechanics.

 

"In these type of situations you're looking more for how your execution was, not so much what the outcome is," Prior said. "My main priority was to throw strikes and get ahead of guys predominantly with fastballs."

 

 

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[Omar]

Yeah... Not worried about this in velocity. Hopefully his next start (In Iowa?) will be better.

[badger1679666666]

I think if Wood has shown us anything, it's to wait before panicking about velocity. He's slowly getting his back, and Prior will too. I'd rather he throw free easy and not timid, than worry about his velocity right now.

[Cubbies4Life]

Prior's biggest concern right now is not his velocity. It will come back with time. He needs to worry about his mechanics and staying healthy and his control.

[baseball7897]

I think his velocity is a major concern. Reports from todays game had him in 86-89 range. This could mean he is holding back something or it could mean his shoulder needs to get stronger so he can be back to that 91-95 range. Looks like Prior will have to make 3 more starts in the minors because he lasted only 2 innings in todays game and obviously needs to regain his arm strength. It would not help the major league ball club if he can only pitch 4-5 innings each 5th day.

[Illini Iceman]

This is why they are called rehab starts. If he was sharp and throwing in the mid 90's they would have him go right to the big leagues.

[Sarcastic]

The good news: Prior did only go two innings, but he threw three innings worth of pitches (40+, I think). He wasn't pulled earlier than they had planned in terms of pitches. I listened to the radio broadcast. Prior was consistently ahead in the count, and didn't walk a batter. It sounded like his control was pretty good.

 

A couple of runs did score, but it wouldn't have been nearly as bad if the team didn't commit two errors behind him.

[CubsBullsBears]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn!!

Same old story: Sore, towel drill, towel drill, long toss, sore again, more towel drills and long toss, simulated games, sore again, more simulated games, rehab, up at MLB, on DL 2 months later.

[Butterscup1679666578]

For all we know, Prior could've been holding himself back, just trying to get his control down first and let the velocity come back. The fact that he didn't walk anyone is the key thing to look at, IMO.

[Mizzou]

I'm just happy that he pitched. I could care less about the results in the box score.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm just happy that he pitched. I could care less about the results in the box score.

 

Ditto.

 

I'll be concerned a few starts after he's returned to the big leagues.

[bhogg]

I just hope there were no sick people in attendance.

 

We can't risk Prior catching another cold.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Well, now that it was brought up, is there a box score somewhere?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Well, now that it was brought up, is there a box score somewhere?

 

Here's a box.

 

Prior's line: 2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 K, 0 BB

 

MiLB.com's Game Log[/url]"]Kane County Top 1st

 

* Michael Massaro flies out to left fielder Jesus Valdez.

* Nick Blasi called out on strikes.

* Frank Martinez reaches on fielding error by first baseman Ryan Norwood.

* Jeffrey Baisley flies out to center fielder Davy Gregg.

 

Kane County Top 2nd

 

* Anthony Recker flies out to center fielder Davy Gregg.

* Jose Pineda homers (6) on a fly ball to left field.

* Isaac Omura singles on a fly ball to center fielder Davy Gregg.

* Raul Padron called out on strikes.

* Justin Sellers singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jesus Valdez. Isaac Omura to 2nd.

* Michael Massaro singles on a fly ball to center fielder Davy Gregg. Isaac Omura scores. Justin Sellers scores. Michael Massaro to 3rd. Throwing error by center fielder Davy Gregg.

* Nick Blasi strikes out swinging.

[cubfan1955]

So I take it he won't be back with the Cubs by June 1st? :shock:

[LeftCoastCubFan]

So I take it he won't be back with the Cubs by June 1st? :shock:

Assuming the talk of two more starts in the minors if he stays on schedule with no setbacks, 6/3 and 6/8 minor league rehab starts and a return about 6/15 in Houston or the weekend after Detroit series.

[soccer10k]

So I take it he won't be back with the Cubs by June 1st? :shock:

Assuming the talk of two more starts in the minors if he stays on schedule with no setbacks, 6/3 and 6/8 minor league rehab starts and a return about 6/15 in Houston or the weekend after Detroit series.

 

The game on 6/15 is against Houston but it is at Wrigley field not Enron/Minute Maid.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I think his velocity is a major concern. Reports from todays game had him in 86-89 range. This could mean he is holding back something or it could mean his shoulder needs to get stronger so he can be back to that 91-95 range. Looks like Prior will have to make 3 more starts in the minors because he lasted only 2 innings in todays game and obviously needs to regain his arm strength. It would not help the major league ball club if he can only pitch 4-5 innings each 5th day.

 

Prior's "velocity" is not a "major concern" after one start. When was the last time Prior pitched in a regular game? It's looks like to me that Prior was sacrificing velocity for comman tonight. The "velocity" will become a concern, if after 5-6 starts down the road...Prior is still topping 89 mph. But until then, it is not a concern.

[soccer10k]

I think his velocity is a major concern. Reports from todays game had him in 86-89 range. This could mean he is holding back something or it could mean his shoulder needs to get stronger so he can be back to that 91-95 range. Looks like Prior will have to make 3 more starts in the minors because he lasted only 2 innings in todays game and obviously needs to regain his arm strength. It would not help the major league ball club if he can only pitch 4-5 innings each 5th day.

 

Prior's "velocity" is not a "major concern" after one start. When was the last time Prior pitched in a regular game? It's looks like to me that Prior was sacrificing velocity for comman tonight. The "velocity" will become a concern, if after 5-6 starts down the road...Prior is still topping 89 mph. But until then, it is not a concern.

 

Agreed. Let's allow Prior to make a couple starts before we start to judge how he looks. He only pitched 2 innings tonight and was obviously on a very limited pitch count. It's too early to tell how well he's going to recover right now.

[Scott G. F.]

I'm just happy that he pitched. I could care less about the results in the box score.

 

 

Couldn't agree more. Of all seasons to get your staff healthy it's this one. Why not allow them to take the time and gear up for next season. Maybe win some games this year and gain some confidence. It was good to see Woody go out there and be smooth for the win. Get the other players not to force things and this team might climb out of the horror that is May. Getting back to .500 is not an impossible goal. It should be the goal for this team. That and getting healthy.

[neely crenshaw]

i would buy the sacrificing velosity for command if there hadn't been a whole lot of talk about his lack of velocity during his side sessions. we'll have to watch the next few starts but prior will get lit up at the major league level if he can't break 90.

[Sammy Sofa]

Unless he somehow turns into the new Maddux...

[JakeSlater]

I'm just happy that he pitched. I could care less about the results in the box score.

 

 

Couldn't agree more. Of all seasons to get your staff healthy it's this one. Why not allow them to take the time and gear up for next season. Maybe win some games this year and gain some confidence. It was good to see Woody go out there and be smooth for the win. Get the other players not to force things and this team might climb out of the horror that is May. Getting back to .500 is not an impossible goal. It should be the goal for this team. That and getting healthy.

 

There's always trying to go for .500 before the break too.

 

Not saying it'll happen, and I'm not saying we're winning anything. I just refuse to play the "gear up for next year" game. I want to see us go on a hot streak.

[Pinktermite]

I for one don't care what his velocity is, if he's not hurt and he's getting the ball over the plate, he's an improvement over any of these other bozos they run out there (Hill, Ryu)...problem is, now that Glendon looked like Randy Johnson on Sunday, Baker will insert him into the rotation for another month, instead of letting Glendon do what he does best, which is fill in when a starter fails, like he did sunday. It was refreshing to see Dusty use a guy as he was intended...albeit forced...but he did it, and Glendon shined, because that's his position on the club.

 

But for Prior, who cares if he's a 88-89, if he's getting the ball over the plate, Maddux hasn't hit over 90 in 15 years...and he gets people out. It's a non issue...unless he's hurt.

[goonys evil twin]

I for one don't care what his velocity is, if he's not hurt and he's getting the ball over the plate, he's an improvement over any of these other bozos they run out there (Hill, Ryu)...problem is, now that Glendon looked like Randy Johnson on Sunday, Baker will insert him into the rotation for another month, instead of letting Glendon do what he does best, which is fill in when a starter fails, like he did sunday. It was refreshing to see Dusty use a guy as he was intended...albeit forced...but he did it, and Glendon shined, because that's his position on the club.

 

Why do people think Glendon shined? He gave up 4 runs in 4 innings, didn't he? There's no way that qualifies as a good outing.