ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -Nolan Ryan is already influencing the Texas Rangers pitching staff.
Three months before spring training, a select group of young and upcoming pitchers is participating this week in a conditioning camp where the message is clear: Every pitcher will have to get stronger and be in better condition.
“We’re going to take the approach that whoever comes out ahead, whoever makes it through, is going to make the team,” strength and conditioning coach Jose Vazquez said Tuesday.
Vazquez is overseeing the offseason program, similar to what he’s had in the past but with a significant change.
Ryan, who became the team president in February and has emphasized tougher workouts for pitchers, told the conditioning coach to push players harder than ever. There will be no coddling of players out of fear of injury because of intense workouts.
Basically, Vazquez said, it will become “survival of the fittest” at spring training.
his Hall of Fame playing career, spending the last five of his record 27 seasons pitching for Texas. He now wants to mold a pitching staff that approaches the game the same way.
“If this group cannot get inspired by the fact that your team president was one of the most fit pitchers in the major leagues, you know what, you’re not going to make it,” Vazquez said.
Ten pitchers are taking part in this week’s camp, a group general manager Jon Daniels described as “the next wave.” They are primarily starters, some with limited major league experience and others who haven’t been there yet.
Matt Harrison said Ryan’s influence is obvious by what pitchers are doing this week. The left-hander said he’s already doing more than in past offseasons.
“If you follow his philosophy, you’re obviously going to do good things,” said Harrison, who made his major league debut in July and became the first rookie left-hander in team history to win nine games. “I’m going to do whatever he says.”
Eric Hurley, a first-round pick in 2004 who also made his major league debut last season, said Rangers starters are being conditioned to pitch into the seventh inning – or longer.
“You see how much (Ryan) is going to be an influence,” right-hander Doug Mathis said. “And if Nolan Ryan is going to put his input in, everybody’s going to be all ears.”
le the relievers threw a majors-high 572 2-3 innings and allowed 360 runs. The Rangers used 30 pitchers, seven who made their big league debuts, and had a majors-worst 5.37 ERA.
Long before working for the Hall of Fame pitcher who threw seven no-hitters and had 5,714 strikeouts, Vazquez developed his offseason program based on studying successful pitchers, primarily Ryan.
“I modeled the pitching program after what he used to do,” said Vazquez, with the Rangers the past three seasons after four years with the New York Mets.
The program includes a lot of hard running and sprints, and the weight training is focused on leg and core work while avoiding too much upper-body bulk.
Veteran starters aren’t at the camp, but all of them are expected to go through the same kind of program this offseason. Kevin Millwood (9-10 last season) and Vicente Padilla (14-8) both were plagued by nagging injuries last season.
Vazquez said Millwood planned to participate this week until a death in his family. But Millwood, who turns 34 next month, already has been working out, shedding 13 pounds to 232 with plans to get down to at least 225.
“Bottom line, we need more out of those guys,” Daniels said of the top two starters. “We’ve seen what they’re capable of. You saw what we got last year. We need more than that to be successful.”
clusive negotiating period ends Thursday. OF/DH Milton Bradley is seeking a multiyear deal. The other free agents are 3B Ramon Vazquez and RHPs Jason Jennings and Jamey Wright. … Closer C.J. Wilson, who had left elbow surgery in August, wanted to pitch in winter ball. Daniels said the team decided against that.
Add A Comment