Izzy Starts Thursday's Game

businessmansspecial · Post by **businessmansspecial** » March 12 07, 5:33 pm

He starts Thursday's game..

Isringhausen to make first spring training appearance Thursday

By R.B. FALLSTROM, AP Sports Writer
March 12, 2007

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- Jason Isringhausen is set to make his spring training debut Thursday, right on schedule.

The St. Louis Cardinals closer missed the World Series after hip surgery in September. He threw to hitters on a back field for the third time on Monday and by all accounts was sharp

"He's looked better every time out," catcher Gary Bennett said. "He was locating everything."
Isringhausen was pain free, with no mechanical issues.

"I just didn't have to really think about anything today," he said. "I just went out there and threw the ball, and everything was in place where it was supposed to be."

Isringhausen had an NL-high 10 blown saves last year while pitching with pain that caused him to alter his delivery. His had eight losses -- one more than his total during his first four seasons in St. Louis -- and he surrendered 10 home runs.

Because of Isringhausen's improved health, the Cardinals plan to move postseason closer Adam Wainwright into the starting rotation. Isringhausen expects to make between seven and nine appearances during the rest of spring training, plenty of time to get ready for opening day.

"I feel like I could go out there and throw BP the rest of spring and be ready for a game," Isringhausen said. "But I want to get in a game and face some real hitters, somebody in a different uniform, so it'll be fun."

Manager Tony La Russa plans on having Isringhausen start Thursday, with Wainwright taking over in the second inning. Isringhausen called his debut a "big deal for my rehab but not to me."

Isringhausen used the word "fun" a lot after his session, because that's what's been missing while the hip injury got progressively worse the last two seasons. Isringhausen was 10-for-10 in save situations last May but never felt healthy.

"The numbers were good," he said, "but in the same sense I think I was getting away with some pitches."

His progress this year has been steady. The first time he threw to hitters he was wondering how his hip would hold up when he lengthened his stride. The second time out he was preoccupied by his command.

"Today I wasn't worried about anything," he said. "And I was able to throw the ball where I wanted to."

Another reliever, Russ Springer, also is set to make his spring training debut on Thursday. Springer, who signed a one-year contract in December, has been hindered by a pulled muscle in his left side.

Springer threw in the bullpen on Tuesday without problems.

"I'll still feel it probably for a while," Springer said. "But as long as it isn't biting it's time to go ahead and push through everything and keep on rolling."

Outfielder Skip Schumaker, who sprained his left ankle running to first base on Sunday, said the injury was minor and that he'd be ready to play in a few days. Schumaker landed awkwardly on the bag, rolling the ankle inward.

Neither center fielder Jim Edmonds nor right fielder Juan Encarnacion have played while rehabbing from offseason surgeries. Encarnacion, coming off left wrist surgery, took batting practice for the third time and second straight day. His swing appeared effortless, but he had no idea when he'd be ready to play.

"Look is not the same as feel," he said.

OF Colby Rasmus, the Cardinals' first-round pick in 2005 and the heir apparent to Jim Edmonds in center field, was among six players reassigned to the minor league camp. The rest of the group included LHP Troy Cate and RHP Mike Smith, INFs Brendan Ryan and Travis Hanson and OF Coey Haerther. Rasmus was 2-for-6 with a pair of doubles and Ryan was 8-for-24 (.333) with four RBIs and Hanson was 1-for-11 with one RBI. Cate was 1-0 and didn't allow a run in four innings and Smith was 0-1, allowing one earned run and five hits in five innings.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=a ... &type=lgns

Jmodene · Post by **Jmodene** » March 12 07, 6:26 pm

Just so y'all know, that's not at all unusual for a rehabbing relief pitcher - they do it on rehab assignments in the minors all the time; they have the reliever start the game, get his inning (or two, sometimes) in, and then have the regularly-scheduled starter take over.

Unless, of course, Duncan's so impressed by *Looper*'s 0.83 ERA as a starter this spring that they're considering moving *Izzy* into the rotation...

businessmansspecial · Post by **businessmansspecial** » March 12 07, 6:46 pm

I knew that. Thanks.

Jmodene · Post by **Jmodene** » March 12 07, 6:58 pm

That's the problem with our language - there's only one word for "you", whether one is speaking to one person or a million. I have, therefore, edited the word to "y'all".

jim · Post by **jim** » March 12 07, 7:38 pm

Older guys earn the right to get out on the links early as well.

businessmansspecial · Post by **businessmansspecial** » March 12 07, 7:43 pm

I hope I remember to turn the radio on that day.

Brodie · Post by **Brodie** » March 12 07, 10:59 pm

3 former closers in the Rotation, it could happen

-Brodie

Post by **heyzeus** » March 13 07, 9:16 am

Maybe Carpenter can close?

mcgee51taguchi99 · Post by **mcgee51taguchi99** » March 13 07, 9:21 am

I don't recall Izzy closing games in the past couple years of ST anyway. Seems like he'd either come directly after the starter or at the beginning of the 5th/6th.

skmsw · Post by **skmsw** » March 13 07, 9:41 am

heyzeus wrote:Maybe Carpenter can close?

I think Carp should close on the day he normally throws between starts. 8-10 pitches to warm up in the pen, 8 to warm up on the mound, and then just throw say 6 2-seamers, 4 4-seamers, and 2 curves.

He'd win 18 and save 20!