Wang looks sharp vs. minor leaguers - 棒球

Wang looks sharp vs. minor leaguers
VIERA, Fla. --

Davey Johnson last watched Chien-Ming Wang pitch in a game situation at
the Nationals' minor-league complex here in December 2010. Then a special
assistant to general manager Mike Rizzo, Johnson didn't like what he saw.

"It was ugly," he said.

Standing near that same field down the road from Space Coast Stadium this
afternoon, Johnson again watched Wang face minor leaguers from the
Nationals' organization in an intrasquad game. What he saw bore no
resemblance to that last encounter.

What he saw was a full healthy pitcher merely preparing for the start of
the season.

"What I'm seeing now, I've kind of got him in that [Stephen] Strasburg
mode: He's back," Johnson said, referring to another right-hander who
has fully recovered from major surgery. "Now it's just giving him as much
work as he needs to get ready for opening the season."

The first step for Wang came today on Field 3 in Viera. He threw two
innings against minor leaguers, allowing one unearned run on four hits,
striking out three without walking a batter. He threw a total of 31 pitches,
24 strikes, then retreated to the bullpen to another simulated inning and
build up his arm strength.

Wang's fastball velocity -- 88-89 mph consistently, topping out at
91 mph -- was down a tick from where it was at the end of last season.
But that's the case with all healthy pitchers in early March, who are
merely building themselves up to be in peak form around Opening Day.

Team officials were encouraged last fall when Wang returned from a two-year
recovery from shoulder surgery and posted a 4.04 ERA in 11 starts. They're
even more encouraged this spring.

"I thought these two innings right here were better than his two innings
usually at the start of a game last year," pitching coach Steve McCatty
said. "I thought there was better arm strength. I thought the movement
was good. I was real pleased with it."

Wang did allow a couple of well-struck, extra-base hits to prospects
Brian Goodwin and Randolph Oduber on flat sliders, and afterward
acknowledged his breaking balls still need more work.

But he feels comfortable enough with his trademark sinker to tinker
around with more breaking stuff, including a curveball he's attempting
to add to his repertoire this spring.

The difference between today and last September is stark.

"Actually I feel better today compared to last season," Wang said
through interpreter John Hsu. "Because during the offseason I work out
and try to build up my arm strength. I think I feel better now."

Wang's next outing will come in five days, against the New York Mets
at Space Coast Stadium. Left-hander John Lannan, also battling for the
final spot in the Nationals' rotation, will start that same day in the
other split-squad game against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland.

For now, the Nationals have no complaints.

"It was what I was expecting to see," Johnson said. "And I wasn't
disappointed."

Posted by Mark Zuckerman at 2:25 PM

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