Smoltz First Bullpen with Boston

photo from:  www.bostonherald.com

Story By - Mary Clausen

March 25.  This was something that most baseball fans would think the would never see.  All-Star pitcher, John Smoltz had a bullpen session with a team other than the Atlanta Braves.  As you know, this year he's pitching for the Boston Red Sox and he threw his first bullpen session with them today.  These were the first pitches that Smoltz threw since early December when he threw a side session that got him signed to the Red Sox. 

It was a 40-pitch all-fastball bullpen. On the 12th pitch, Smoltz tried to let one fly, the ball fell out of his grip and his fell down on the mound.  It didn't hurt him - they could tell by his face that he was fine.  Smoltz said, 'I probably have this happen once a side session.  I'm trying to not grip the ball, trying to grip it at light as I can, and every once in a while that happens."

The Boston pitching coach, John Ferell said about the session, "It was more a matter of repeating his delivery, controlling his intensity level, which I think he did very well.  I think he felt good coming away from it. . . . Today was  the first day he's thrown a bullpen of this structure since early December, so there's going to be some familiarity to regain with the mound."

Smoltz  who usually likes to see more perfection said, "I've been doing this for a long time, but it was awkward. Because I've not gone that long without being on the mound. I look forward to the month worth of. . . mounds and bullpens.""

Smoltz is still rehabing from his shoulder surgery in June and he's doing well.  The Boston coaching staff says they think his return to be as late as June 1 or as possibly as early as mid-May.