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February 27, 2008
AP photo / Brita Meng Outzen
Bartolo Colon jokes around today with new teammates Manny Ramirez, Davern Hansack, Julio Lugo and David Ortiz.
With the help of Duncan Webb, the Red Sox' Latin Education Coordinator, Bartolo Colon answered questions for about five minutes this morning. Webb translated for Colon, who has never felt comfortable with his English.
Some highlights:
* Colon will throw a bullpen Tuesday and said he expects to appear in a game March 9 -- a week from Sunday, though it's unclear whether that would be a camp game against some minor leaguers or in Vero Beach, where the Sox are scheduled that day to play the Los Angeles Dodgers.
* He said he chose the Sox because of their ``aggressive'' approach toward him and an opportunity to pitch.
* Colon is motivated to show that he can still pitch at an elite level.
``A lot of teams (were) saying I couldn't pitch,'' he said, ``so I'm taking this opoprtunity to show I can.''
* He said the presence of David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and other fellow Dominicans was a factor in his signing with the Sox, citing the ``strong group of Latino players'' in the Sox clubhouse.
* After experiencing shoulder problems in 2006 and elbow issues last year, he said his arm ``feels good. I just need to prepare to the point where it feels strong.''
Posted by Sean McAdam 
at 11:44 AM | Permalink
