FORT MYERS, Fla.—Bartolo Colon may not hit the ambitious target date he set for himself when he arrived at Red Sox camp last week, but the former Cy Young Award winner continues to impress his new team.
The right-hander threw 42 fastballs and changeups to backup catcher Doug Mirabelli over an 11-minute bullpen session Monday morning. Pitching coach John Farrell says the workout made it "a very good day" for the 34-year-old.
"For not being on the mound for three-and-a-half weeks, he threw the ball to both sides of the plate. He found the glove well," said Farrell, who supervised the session as manager Terry Francona and most of the Red Sox starters headed to Jupiter for an exhibition against the Marlins. "He got through his front side to allow him to really carry the fastball through the zone. I'd say there was a few pitches that approached 90 (mph)."
Colon, who signed a one-year deal on Feb. 25 that could be worth up to $7 million, initially said he expected to pitch as early as March 9 against the Dodgers. Francona and Farrell have said the March 15 game against the Reds was a more likely target.
Farrell said Colon has thus far exceeded expectations, commending the burly pitcher's strength and stamina in what was his first time on a mound since pitching in the Caribbean Series on Feb. 6.
"In terms of pure arm strength, he's in a very good place," Farrell said. "It's a matter of repetition. Once we get into the up-down of the innings simulation and really getting into games, that will be a very clear indication of where he's at as far as season readiness."
Colon, the second-winningest pitcher in baseball from 1998-2005, has won just seven games over the past two seasons with shoulder and elbow injuries.
The Red Sox, in need of insurance with Curt Schilling's status uncertain this season, inked the former 20-game winner to what general manager Theo Epstein labeled a "low-risk, potentially high reward" deal. In a best-case scenario, Colon would challenge rookie Clay Buchholz, Kyle Snyder and Julian Tavarez for the fifth slot in the rotation.
Colon is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Wednesday, and could throw one more before he begins to face hitters in batting practice, Farrell said.
"He's definitely motivated, no doubt about that," Farrell said. "He's been outstanding when it comes to following our lead and directions. He's been very compliant. We had a chance to sit down and talk about the throwing program, what those progressive steps would be, and he sees no reason, at this point, to shortchange those or speed that up."
