SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -Rangers right-hander Brandon McCarthy will pitch against Kansas City on Friday after all, in a “B” game on a back field instead of the regular spring training game.
McCarthy played long toss and threw about 15 pitches off a mound Thursday without any problems, a day after the team said he was being scratched from his second exhibition start because of stiffness in his right shoulder.
McCarthy, who has been on the disabled list three times in two seasons with Texas, said he was ready to pitch Friday.
“It loosened up a ton and it felt good enough to go,” he said. “Unless there’s any unforeseen surprise or something, I’m going to be out there. That’s my spot, my day, let’s do it.”
The Rangers opted for McCarthy to pitch in the more controlled environment of a “B” game Friday morning against Kansas City, the team that shares the complex. Rookie pitcher Tommy Hunter will start the Cactus League game Friday afternoon against the Royals.
he threw two innings in his only spring start. Not long after he told team trainers about the problem Wednesday morning, the Rangers announced he wouldn’t pitch as scheduled.
“It got out of hand a little too fast. I’m just battling through early stuff, I think,” McCarthy said. “This felt different. … This is something that gave me a little cause of concern, but it was something I hadn’t felt before, so I didn’t know what to do with it.”
After extended treatment and the throwing session Thursday, McCarthy said he was feeling good.
McCarthy, traded from the Chicago White Sox for John Danks in December 2006, made only five starts (22 innings) last season because of right forearm inflammation and a strained tendon in his right middle finger. He was limited to 23 games in 2007 because of blisters on his pitching hand and a stress fracture in his right shoulder blade.
Hunter, a right-hander, made three starts last season for Texas. The Rangers chose to start him ahead of hard-throwing 20-year-old Neftali Feliz, still scheduled to be the second pitcher used in the main game Friday.
Add A Comment