The Pirates opened Spring Training yesterday with the first workouts for pitchers and catchers. For all of our Spring Training coverage from yesterday and the rest of the Spring, check out the Spring Training page on the site. Below are the leftovers from day one, along with some video and a great quote from Russell Martin on the team’s chances in 2014.
A.J. Burnett Reactions
Russell Martin reacting to A.J. Burnett signing with the Phillies:
“I wish him well. I hope he stays healthy and has a good season, and hopefully we meet him in the playoffs and beat him.”
Martin on Burnett’s leadership:
“The things that he taught the kids last year are not forgotten. So everything that they’ve learned from A.J., I hope they don’t forget. And I don’t think that they will. But he definitely was a leader in the way that he approached the game, and the way that he competed when he went on the mound. And kind of the warrior type attitude that he had, kind of trickled down all the way through. But he wasn’t the only leader on that team. Liriano was kind of more of a quiet presence, but he took the ball every time out there and he competed just like A.J. did, in his own way. You can’t replace somebody, but the next guy can do whatever he can do to make his own mark.”
Clint Hurdle on how to replace Burnett’s innings:
“I think one of the exciting things is that it opens up opportunity for men that we have here in camp. One of the things that you continually want to give to people is opportunity. We’ve got depth in the starting rotation, and we’ve got some guys in place that fared well for us and had some good, solid campaigns for us last year. Some guys are still growing. It could be one guy, it could be two guys to pick up the volume of innings. That’s a concern anytime you have someone who leaves the rotation that pitched close to 200 innings for back to back seasons. But we’ve created a culture of opportunity and of manning up.”
Edinson Volquez Bullpen
Here is a short video of Edinson Volquez throwing his first bullpen session of Spring Training. I’m hoping to get more than four pitches in future videos. Currently getting used to the recording functions on my new phone.
Health Updates
**Clint Hurdle said that Wandy Rodriguez would be on a similar throwing program as everyone else. Today is his day to throw on the mound. I’ll have some photos and video on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
**Outside of Kyle McPherson, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent last July, everyone in camp is healthy.
Quote of the Day
“I think we’re going to be better than we were last year. I don’t know what all the ‘experts’ are saying, but I consider myself an expert, and I think we’re going to do better.” — Russell Martin on the 2014 Pirates
