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Colon update

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. _ Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon threw three scoreless innings for Single-A Lancaster this morning at City of Palms Park. The game was called in the top of the fifth inning due to rain.

The veteran right-hander allowed four hits with two strikeouts. He threw 34 pitches (23 strikes), including five first-pitch strikes.

"I thought overall it was a very good outing," said Red Sox GCL pitching coach Goose Gregson. "He warmed up extremely well, he elevated a few fastballs that
put him in some hitters’ counts thus there was a little hard contact early in the game, but what I liked most was he stayed in his delivery, made some adjustments, got big outs when they had runners on base, which is ultimately part of his getting back in the swing of things. . . I would assess it as a very good outing, a positive in the right direction."

There was no radar gun on Colon during his outing, but Gregson said he showed plus velocity with a good two-seam fastball.

The uncle of Red Sox pitcher Julian Tavarez was in attendance and spoke with Colon for several minutes after the game. Frank Rodriguez said Colon, and his arm, felt good.

Colon will leave Fort Myers on Thursday and meet the Red Sox in Los Angeles to pitch one of the exhibition games against the Dodgers.

"He's going to do all right," said Rodriguez.

Added Gregson: "You have to be encouraged by the arm strenghth and his
ability to stay in his delivery, the ball is coming out of his hand exceptionally well."

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:08 PM | Permalink