http://www.sptimes.com/2004/02/25/Rays/Cubs_prospect_falls_i.shtml
Cubs prospect falls into Rays' eager arms
By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published February 25, 2004
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST. PETERSBURG - Cubs pitching prospect John Webb's unfortunate tumble down
the stairs may have been a lucky break for the Devil Rays.
Webb, 24, broke his right leg Feb.15 after falling at his house while chasing
his dog and will be out until June. The Cubs tried to take him off their
40-man roster, but the Rays, impressed by his Arizona Fall League performance,
claimed Webb for the $20,000 waiver fee and were excited to get him.
"He has nasty stuff," Mesa Solar Sox teammate Alec Zumwalt said. "He's a good
pitcher, and good people, too."
Webb, who graduated from Pensacola High and played at Manatee Community College
in 1998-99, was a 19th-round pick in 1999. He was slated to pitch at Triple-A
Iowa this season after recovering from 2001 elbow surgery to go 5-8 with a 4.50
ERA at Double-A West Tenn last season amd was 4-0 with a 2.14 ERA last fall
for Mesa.
The Rays are willing to wait for him to heal.
"He's got a good sinker, a good slider and an above-average fastball,"
assistant GM Bart Braun said. "It may be a while before he gets back on the
mound, but he has (minor-league) options left."
PITCHING IN: Veteran right-hander Paul Abbott had a feel-good winter, as
aches-and-pain-free as he has been in years. Tuesday, he took another step
toward a spot in the rotation by throwing his first batting practice session.
"Abbott threw well," manager Lou Piniella said. "The most important thing was
I asked him how he felt, and he felt good."
Abbott, 36, comes into camp among the leading candidates to win a spot in the
rotation. He won 17 games for Piniella's 2001 Mariners team but has pitched in
only 17 big-league games since because of a shoulder injury that led to June
2002 surgery. Previously, he had seasons cut short by knee, elbow and shoulder
problems.
"I'm feeling good," Abbott said. "I should have no worries."
PRACTICE REPORT: Pitchers, as expected, were ahead of the hitters during the
first day of live batting practice Tuesday. Piniella said he was glad to see
the pitchers throw strikes and didn't expect the hitters to do much with them.
"I played, and I know what it is to sit out all winter and face a guy throwing
92-93 mph the first time you get into that batter's box," Piniella said.
"It's not an easy thing. Really, what you want to do as a hitter is start
getting the idea of the strike zone, more than anything else. I didn't see any
balls flying out of the ballpark when the pitchers were throwing, but if the
pitchers get a good idea of the strike zone and the hitters at the same time
get their idea of the strike zone, you're accomplishing a lot just by being up
there and taking pitches."
With rain forecast for today, the Rays may have to move most of their workout
to the indoor batting tunnels. Piniella said they might do baserunning and
sliding drills, but pitchers with previous leg injuries will be excused. Last
year, Dewon Brazelton injured his right knee in a sliding drill.
"If we do it, Brazelton will not be part of it," Piniella said.
BACK ON THE HILL: Considering he hadn't thrown to pro hitters since spring
training with Montreal in 2002, Alan Mills was pleased with his work.
"It felt good," Mills said. "It's an adjustment. Hopefully it will keep feeling
good."
Mills, 37, is trying to come back after sitting out the past two seasons.
MISCELLANY: Senior adviser/fan favorite Don Zimmer will be the grand marshal
of the April 5 Festival of States Night Parade in downtown St. Petersburg. ...
The Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens group is scheduled for its
annual visit to Rays camp today.
[Last modified February 25, 2004, 01:31:45]
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 140.112.240.146