VIERA, Fla. (AP) -Shawn Hill knows exactly what everyone is thinking: Will this guy ever be healthy?
The Washington Nationals right-hander knows he never has made more than 16 starts or thrown as many as 100 innings in a season. He also knows all too well – a glance down at the thick scar on his right arm provides one quick reminder – that he’s had his share of operations.
So it’s no secret that as much as the Nationals prize Hill’s ability, they also worry about whether he ever can be counted on with regularity.
And, Hill acknowledges, there have been times he’s shared those concerns.
“It has gotten in my mind before, and that’s usually been right before or right after a surgery, where you’re at the low point, thinking, ‘What now?”’ Hill said Tuesday, a thick wrap encasing his right elbow after his first official bullpen session of spring training.
“But right now,” he continued, “there’s no reason to think that way, no reason to dwell on it.”
g session, longer than any of the other pitchers in his group.
“Almost didn’t want to stop,” Hill said.
Nationals catcher Jesus Flores caught the session and noted Hill was hitting corners.
Given Hill’s history – which includes missing all of 2005 after reconstructive elbow surgery; right forearm nerve and left shoulder issues; bone spurs removed from his elbow in September – perhaps the most promising words Tuesday came from pitching coach Randy St. Claire.
“He looked normal,” St. Claire said.
Of course, he soon added: “We just have to keep our fingers crossed.”
Manager Manny Acta was keeping an eye on Hill also, as were other members of the team’s staff. While Hill figures he should have an idea of how things are going after two starts in exhibition games, Acta wants to withold judgment until the final two weeks of the spring.
Even though Hill went 1-5 with a 5.83 in 12 starts in 2008, making him 7-15 with a 4.93 ERA in the majors, the Nationals are high on him.
Primarily because of his sinker, which Acta says ranks “just a tad below Brandon Webb. It’s that good. It’s legit.”
“Everybody knows that sinker’s coming,” Acta said, “and they still can’t do too much damage to it.”
Hill said he felt no pain Tuesday – he hasn’t been feeling pain since he began getting ready for spring training, in fact, which is a nice change.
t weights, because it hurt when he released his grip. Being unable to maintain strength added to his difficulties.
“This is much better than I felt last year, at any point in time,” Hill said. “I’m not taking any painkillers or anything like that.”
Now, though, the only thing he’s dealing with is it takes a little longer than it used to for him to loosen up his arm. To try to improve that, Hill has been having massages a few times a week, with about 30-40 minutes spent on his forearm, biceps and triceps.
Hardly a burden to bear, given all he’s been through while trying to show he can be a front-line starter in the majors.
“I have the question marks hanging over my head, which is fair. I’m fully aware of that. If I’m healthy, I think that I’ve proven in the past – over short spurts, granted – what I’m capable of,” Hill said.
“There’s that dark cloud hanging over my head until I get rid of it,” he continued. “And the only way to do that is to go, be healthy and throw however many innings it’s going to take for people to go, OK, no more question marks – at least for now.”
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