Farrell offers insight on Matsuzaka
Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell says he expects Daisuke Matsuzaka to pitch again this season. But before the struggling righthander, who was sent to the disabled list yesterday with a weak right shoulder, does so, he will have to prove beyond a doubt that he is strong enough to handle the workload.
"Our every intention will be to get him back this year," Farrell said during an interview with WEEI's "The Dale and Holley Show" this afternoon. "Now, I say that with no end time frame that says on August 1, he's going to be back in our rotation. There are going to be objectives that he's going to have to meet along the way here both in terms of strength and conditioning, both from a body standpoint and from a shoulder standpoint.
"He's working from a better foundation now than if you were talking about January or February, that's obvious with the amount of innings he's thrown. It's clear there are needs that do exist. By his own admission he knows there's the need to take a step back before taking steps forward and that's what we're in the process of constructing an overall plan physically and fundamentally to get him back to that level."
Farrell emphasized that Matsuzaka is not suffering from a specific injury, but is battling weakness in his pitching shoulder that stems in part from his accelerated preparation for the World Baseball Classic in March.
"I think it's important to clarify, there are reports out there that Daisuke is suffering from a sore shoulder," Farrell said. "That is not true. That is far from the truth. He does have some deficiencies in strength that goes back to the preparation for a full season that in this case has not been afforded. And when you ramp up too quick, you fatigue it, and then trying to come back, you're working it to get back in shape and there's just not ample time or format to do that. Fortunately with [John] Smoltz coming to us, we have that time on our side and we're going to take the time needed to get Daisuke right to the pitcher he was the past two years."
Farrell said it is apparent that Matsuzaka's problems this season -- he's 1-5 with an 8.33 earned-run average in eight starts -- stem from not getting a proper start to his season in terms of building up his arm strength.
"You kind of look back to spring training. And this is not to point the finger at any one tournament or any one thing. But when you take a starting pitcher and they're accustomed to a consistent progression year after year and outing after outing, and when you interrupt that and ramp things up too quick, there are times when a pitcher will not have -- the world that is being used lightly here is 'foundation' -- but every pitcher has got to get himself physically and fundamentally prepared to get himself through a 162-game season. When you try and short-circuit that, whether it's though participation in the WBC . . . or any kind of short spring training, it can have an adverse affect on the individual pitcher."
Matsuzaka, an icon in Japan, was under a large amount of pressure to pitch for his homeland in the WBC. He was the MVP of the initial tournament in 2007, and again this season for two-time champion Japan.
Farrell says he understands the importance of the WBC to Matsuzaka as well as players from other countries, but that the tournament is a proven detriment to pitchers' immediate futures.
"I do know that whether it's Daisuke and his country, Japan, or whether it's guys who play for the United States, there is a tremendous amount of pride that goes along with the involvement in that tournament," Farrell said. "Some players are more closely obligated to filling that request than others. In the case of Daisuke, it's clear [it's very important to participate], it's a very important tournament, for not only he, but their entire country.
"On the downside of that, I think it's clear, now that there have been two of these tournaments, that the season performances of the pitchers who participate in that tournament take a step backward. It's not just Daisuke. We've researched pitchers in Japan who participated for their WBC team, and the same situation or subpar performance has taken place. This is a well-intended tournament . . . yes, there are some drawbacks to it."
Farrell said that if there is any small blessing in Matsuzaka's struggles, it's that it may force him to make adjustments to which he has been reluctant.
"I wouldn't say he is loathe to listen, that's not the case," Farrell said. "But I will tell you this, every elite performer -- and let's face it, Daisuke's won 33 games of regular-season baseball the last two years, so he should be considered an elite performer -- they're very strong in their mindset in terms of what they're individual strengths are, they rely heavily on those, and when it comes time for adjustment, sometimes there's adversity as he's facing now that is needed to make necessary adjustments. And we're not talking about wholesale changes with Daisuke. This is centering around physical strength and conditioning, and overall shoulder strength."
Another Sox pitcher, as Farrell noted, went through a similar issue last year, though not to such drastic effect.
"You can also look back to last year, when Josh Beckett's spring training was interrupted because of a back injury, and he was seemingly playing catch-up for the entire year," Farrell said. "This is very much like what Daisuke [is going through] and from what we're trying to rectify going forward."
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his only injury is he can't pitch as well as the Red Sox want, if it was not for John Smoltz and Clay in reserve it would still be pitching for the Sox
"it's that it may force him to make adjustments to which he has been reluctant:
hmmm, maybe like throwing strikes for a change? or not pitching around .237 hitters?
A thoughtful assessment by John Farrell. I think the Sox are lucky to have him as their pitching coach.
Here's an article that needs translation.
"Our every intention will be to get him back this year..."
Means: If you don't see him in the rotation again, it's an act of God. We didn't do it.
"Now, I say that with no end time frame..."
Means: Could be this year. Could be never.
"...this is not to point the finger at any one tournament or any one thing."
Means: But YOU know what I'm talkin' about.
""I wouldn't say he is loathe to listen..."
Means: He hears the footsteps. Penny, Smoltz, Clay and Bowden aren't exactly sneaking up behind him. He'll adapt or perish.
"You can also look back to last year, when Josh Beckett... was seemingly playing catch-up for the entire year"
Means: And that probably cost us a WS berth. Think we'll make the same mistake twice??
Seems to me like Farrell and Tito want to say "F--- the WBC" but can't.
Ouch...
"for not only he" ...HIM!!
"in terms of what they're individual strengths are"..THEIR!!
Just nasty little jolts as you read an interesting piece. . . maybe from Farrell, maybe from Chad, but whatever...
Just for the heck of it I went through the rosters from the WBC and looked to see pitchers who have ended up on the DL this year (MLB only, so there are many that play in Japan, Cuba, other countries and the minors that I didn't hunt information for). Also, I went through the lists pretty quickly so I am sure there may be some omitted. I found 10 (including Matsuzaka) who are currently or have been on the DL this season, including Jake Peavy.
I don't have the patience to look but I'm curious how many struggling hitters (David Ortiz, Magglio Ordonez) also played in the WBC.
The Redsox should NEVER allow another player to paticipate in the WBC again.
I am sure that Dice-K will be back and once again be a winning pitcher for the Red Sox. He may still frustrate a lot of us but he has proven that he can and does win at this level.
In Farrell we trust. Who else would know more about Red Sox pitchers? Personally, I believe that John described the WBL situation rather graciously. There is no doubt that he will have the team ready for the play-offs and the years to come. The Sox are lucky to have him on board.
As far as DK goes, it's all about how much he might be able to contribute this year. Roster spots will be at a premium during the play-offs; no time for appealing to the sentiment(s) of any particular pitcher. It's a team effort! Hopefully, the pitching staff will see the opportunity they have this year and seize it. They are solid through and through, but have to perform, until the prize is won. Surely, the offense (and defense) will rally around this winning lot?!
This is mostly bull. Sure there is something wrong with Matsusaka but I will never believe that it just now happened. The Red Sox needed to do something to get Smoltz into the rotation and Matsusaka was an obvious solution to them. Why do I say that I just don't believe the Red Sox? We all know how careful they are of their pitchers. They would never have left Matsusaka pitch if they felt that there was anything at all wrong with him Now we are told that thee is something wrong. Strange proceedings to say the least.
I hope that somehow they can address the "nibbling" issue, which is probably rooted in confidence. Maybe he can see a baseball shrink or a mental coach or whatever it is they call it when elite athletes perform like they're wusses. In order to reach his full potential, Daisuke needs to learn to trust his stuff 100% and to go after hitters. Like he does in the WBC.
chad, check your facts, the initial WBC was 2006 not 2007.
"their" individual strengths, not "they're"
Luv John Farrell's conspicuous attempt to avoid commenting negatively on any particular "tournament", as if there's a question about the WBC being the issue here. (The again, maybe it was a slow-pitch softball tournament that messed up Dice-K's shoulder. You never know.)
All in all, this turn of events is fantastic for the Sox, given Theo & co.'s contingency plans this summer (cf., Penny, Brad and Smoltz, John). Dice-K seems poised to embrace the shoulder program that Penny and Smoltz have raved about and which seemingly brought Papelbon back from the brink of a serious injury, a program that has allowed Penny to add back 4 mph or more to his fastball over the course of the season. In the meantime, we can see what Smoltz is able to do, let the market develop for Penny, and monitor the development of Buchholz and Bowden in AAA.
For those who are fed up with Dick-K--and I admit that I was hoping he would somehow end up as the odd man out when Smoltz was finishing his rehab--I say we have yet to see the best of what he can and will do in a Sox uniform. He is still adjusting to the MLB experience, communication is still an issue, etc., but let there be no doubt the guy is a competitor and he has the right make-up to come back stronger and better. A poster in the last thread mentioned the issue of the language barrier as an obstacle to fans getting behind him, and I do think the language/culture thing makes a difference in Boston. While people generally respect the fact that he humbly takes the blame for his poor performances through an interpreter, he isn't able to win fans with colorful quotes or by having a media dust-up with Joe Girardi. In American sports culture, anyway, people think emotional displays and outbursts are a sure sign that someone cares, and they seem willing to overlook it when it's immature and boorish (such as when Penny, early in the season, couldn't manage to contain his disgust when anyone committed an error behind him.) You're never going to see that crap from Dice-K (or J.D. Drew for that matter), but it doesn't mean the guy doesn't have intensity to go along with his talent. Happily, we're in a good position to wait for Dice-K to come around without it costing us in the short term.
The WBC has to change to after the World Series
I can't believe there haven't been any other comments on this.
Our man Farrell ~ Greg Swindell's partner in Cleveland's fleeting but potent 1-2 of the late 80's ~ is CRUCIAL to what we've been forging, around these parts, since Henry's Seismic arrival in 2002.
An absolutely VITAL reason why the prospects of our beloved team, going forward, DWARF what we've already accomplished, ere the last 7 years, is because of the organization's FANATICAL focus on giving every last Pitcher ~ and Player ~ every tool, every resource, every last word of expertise from all over the map, and, most critically, every day, week, month, and year that is needed...to optimize his chance of success.
And John Farrell's mastery of what makes Pitchers tick, combined with the moral courage it takes to make the correct choice, no matter how it may roil them, at times, is INTEGRAL to the momentum we've built in such a short time.
One of the sad things about a situation like this is that, because these guys are paid a lot of money, and because fans want, first and foremost, for their team and its players to perform well, there isn't a lot of sympathy expressed for them when they get into trouble.
I look at this guy walking off the mound in defeat, and I feel really bad for him. He knows better than any of us that he isn't measuring up. He's pretty much alone over here, separated from his home, and it must really rot to be in that place. If he's like most human beings I know, he really doesn't like to do things poorly, and the fact that his wallet is fat is small consolation for him.
I wish him well. Nobody deserves to fail and be ridiculed for it. I don't think that ever helps a situation to get better.
"He was the MVP of the initial tournament in 2007..."
The first WBC was in 2006.
In DiceK's defense, the guy has been extraordinarily humble and forthright about his failures this season. Considering that he's one of only a handful of Red Sox players in the past century who got the team to the World Series and won, I think we fans may want to cut him a little slack, even though he has been lousy this year.
I'm a retired Physical Therapist: The Red Sox's Physical Therapist will know how to get balaced strength to a pitchers right shoulder. I've used body weight exercises like push-ups and hand stand push ups to get balanced strength with pitchers.
I also used P.N.F. exe. with success to improve rot..cuff/shoulder motion.
When balance strenght is present the athlete can return to sports with his pitching coach and fine tune is control to a full return.
Red Sox ans are upset about Dice-K and he will return. !8-3 and they are complaining. A glitch in the road. Why are they not more upset that Manny is practicing with a major league team while he is on suspension for drug violation. He is laughing at us all. $25 million and tanked it. Sppportwriters from Boston are still treating him like a GOD. If they are so worried about Dice-K why did Theo sign Smoltz and why are Clay and Bowen waiting. Get off your high horse. Dice-K is worth every penny. He haas years in his arm.
All joking aside, can the team file a grievance to recover 2009 pay? Is there anything in the player's contract (other than a personal fluffer) abotu behavior detrimental to his health and performance? You know, like when some knucklehead gets hurt riding wheelies in the parking lot?
I think that this is great insight into the Matsuzaka issue, and I also think that Farrell is doing an excellent job of taking some of the pressure of off Matsuzaka by connecting his plight with those that other pitchers have faced. Beckett WASN'T fantastic last year; other pitchers DO struggle after the WBC.
I do think, however, that if anything, this issue is making the WBC look less and less like a good idea.
"the prospects of our beloved team, going forward, DWARF what we've already accomplished"
Really very true and well-observed, Yankee.
Not to get all annoying on you, but THANK you, Brother Snitch! :o)
I greatly enjoy reading the prose, hereabouts, and it's very gratifying, indeed, when my peers drop a kind word!
*So much for my being the only one who posted! Hah! I wish the Pravda, here, would just let the comments go Live in RealTime...otherwise, hire some Interns to screen these, around the clock!
*Speaking of great prose:
"For those who are fed up with Dick-K--and I admit that I was hoping he would somehow end up as the odd man out when Smoltz was finishing his rehab--I say we have yet to see the best of what he can and will do in a Sox uniform.
He is still adjusting to the MLB experience, communication is still an issue, etc., but let there be no doubt the guy is a competitor and he has the right make-up to come back stronger and better."
This from DixieSoxFan! Perfect! I presume nothing about Dice K's future, but my money, too, is on the best being yet to come!
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