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TAMPA — Zack Littell’s results have not been very good, evidenced by an ugly pitching line for that includes a majors-most three losses, an American League-high five homers, a 6.88 ERA and 18 hits allowed in 17 innings.
Littell allowed one run over six innings in a tough-luck loss to Colorado on March 29, gave up five runs over seven innings at Texas on April 4, and got knocked out after four-plus innings by the Angels on Thursday, giving up seven runs, including four homers.
But Littell goes into Wednesday’s start against the Red Sox confident he isn’t pitching that badly and doesn’t have to change much except executing his pitches better.
“Honestly, I’d make the argument I’ve had one bad start, the Texas one,” Littell said Tuesday. “The execution is just going to continue to get better. Sure, there’s always room for improvement from the execution standpoint, but I’ve had far worse stretches of starts, even in the last year, than what I would consider this right now.”
Which, he acknowledged, is both a good and bad thing.
“That’s what’s encouraging and frustrating, I guess, at the same time,” Littell said. “You’re coming out of those starts where it’s like you’re throwing the ball well, so the results need to follow. But on the flip side, you’re encouraged that you’re throwing the ball well. And I know that given the way that we work in large sample sizes, where I’m at I know that I’m throwing the ball well (so) the results will come.
“Obviously, I want them to come quickly. But I feel good. I’m just excited to get back out there. You definitely want to get out there and get rid of that one and get it as far in the rear view as you can. So as execution continues to improve I just think that we’re going to be in a good spot.”
Littell seemed headed for a shift back to the bullpen this season, but Shane McClanahan’s late-spring injury created a spot for him to stay in the rotation.
Manager Kevin Cash said he doesn’t think Littell needs to make any major changes.
“Look, it’s early, results, good or bad, can sway a lot early on in the season,” Cash said. “I think you go back to his last outing against (the Angels), he left too many balls over the middle of the plate, and they capitalized on it, and it snowballed. …
“I’m sure he’s not going to change his process or his approach — it’s get Strike 1 and then just continue to make and execute quality pitches after that."
No specific date has been set for Ha-Seong Kim’s return from right shoulder surgery beyond the previous window of sometime in May, but Cash said he is throwing well while taking ground balls and “definitely moving in the right direction.”
Kim may accompany the Rays on their upcoming road trip to Arizona and San Diego, which will give him a chance to visit with his former Padres teammates and check in with by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who did his surgery.
Infielder/outfielder Richie Palacios (broken right ring finger) was slated to play for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday for his third rehab game, and then be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.
Among other injured Rays, Cash said outfielder Josh Lowe (right oblique strain) “says that he feels great” but is “still a little bit aways;” outfielder Jonny DeLuca (right shoulder strain) says “his symptoms have gone down” but hasn’t started throwing; and pitcher Shane McClanahan (left triceps nerve issue) is “progressing slowly” but also has not started throwing.
Reliever Eric Orze, who worked two scoreless innings Monday in his Rays debut after a call-up from Triple A, said he welcomed the opportunity after not making the team from a good spring camp. “Whatever decision they made was up to them, and didn’t bother me one way or the other,” he said. “I was just trying to do my part, and when it was my time, it was my time, and I’m here now. So happy to be here.” … Players, coaches and managers for both teams Tuesday wore jerseys with the No. 42 in Dodger blue, as well as a No. 42 patch on their caps, royal blue socks to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day. … In what they’re called a Tax Day Deal, the Rays are offering W2 (For 1) tickets to the April 29-May 1 Royals series, but only through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. … Through their annual Jackie Robinson grant program, the Rays and Rowdies foundations awarded $20,000 each to five organizations: Embracing Our Differences, Infinite Potential Learning Academy, Project Prosper, Redlands Christian Migrant Association, and Supportive Equity Connections of Tampa Bay.
• • •
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Littell allowed one run over six innings in a tough-luck loss to Colorado on March 29, gave up five runs over seven innings at Texas on April 4, and got knocked out after four-plus innings by the Angels on Thursday, giving up seven runs, including four homers.
But Littell goes into Wednesday’s start against the Red Sox confident he isn’t pitching that badly and doesn’t have to change much except executing his pitches better.
“Honestly, I’d make the argument I’ve had one bad start, the Texas one,” Littell said Tuesday. “The execution is just going to continue to get better. Sure, there’s always room for improvement from the execution standpoint, but I’ve had far worse stretches of starts, even in the last year, than what I would consider this right now.”
Which, he acknowledged, is both a good and bad thing.
“That’s what’s encouraging and frustrating, I guess, at the same time,” Littell said. “You’re coming out of those starts where it’s like you’re throwing the ball well, so the results need to follow. But on the flip side, you’re encouraged that you’re throwing the ball well. And I know that given the way that we work in large sample sizes, where I’m at I know that I’m throwing the ball well (so) the results will come.
“Obviously, I want them to come quickly. But I feel good. I’m just excited to get back out there. You definitely want to get out there and get rid of that one and get it as far in the rear view as you can. So as execution continues to improve I just think that we’re going to be in a good spot.”
Littell seemed headed for a shift back to the bullpen this season, but Shane McClanahan’s late-spring injury created a spot for him to stay in the rotation.
Manager Kevin Cash said he doesn’t think Littell needs to make any major changes.
“Look, it’s early, results, good or bad, can sway a lot early on in the season,” Cash said. “I think you go back to his last outing against (the Angels), he left too many balls over the middle of the plate, and they capitalized on it, and it snowballed. …
“I’m sure he’s not going to change his process or his approach — it’s get Strike 1 and then just continue to make and execute quality pitches after that."
Medical matters
No specific date has been set for Ha-Seong Kim’s return from right shoulder surgery beyond the previous window of sometime in May, but Cash said he is throwing well while taking ground balls and “definitely moving in the right direction.”
Kim may accompany the Rays on their upcoming road trip to Arizona and San Diego, which will give him a chance to visit with his former Padres teammates and check in with by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who did his surgery.
Infielder/outfielder Richie Palacios (broken right ring finger) was slated to play for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday for his third rehab game, and then be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.
Among other injured Rays, Cash said outfielder Josh Lowe (right oblique strain) “says that he feels great” but is “still a little bit aways;” outfielder Jonny DeLuca (right shoulder strain) says “his symptoms have gone down” but hasn’t started throwing; and pitcher Shane McClanahan (left triceps nerve issue) is “progressing slowly” but also has not started throwing.
Miscellany
Reliever Eric Orze, who worked two scoreless innings Monday in his Rays debut after a call-up from Triple A, said he welcomed the opportunity after not making the team from a good spring camp. “Whatever decision they made was up to them, and didn’t bother me one way or the other,” he said. “I was just trying to do my part, and when it was my time, it was my time, and I’m here now. So happy to be here.” … Players, coaches and managers for both teams Tuesday wore jerseys with the No. 42 in Dodger blue, as well as a No. 42 patch on their caps, royal blue socks to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day. … In what they’re called a Tax Day Deal, the Rays are offering W2 (For 1) tickets to the April 29-May 1 Royals series, but only through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. … Through their annual Jackie Robinson grant program, the Rays and Rowdies foundations awarded $20,000 each to five organizations: Embracing Our Differences, Infinite Potential Learning Academy, Project Prosper, Redlands Christian Migrant Association, and Supportive Equity Connections of Tampa Bay.
• • •
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Continue reading...
