Lester dismissed the notion that he was on hand early to set that type of example, merely saying that he likes to be down early before every camp and go about his business at his own pace before the full squad shows up.
He spent the offseason at his home in Georgia and worked out, hoping to take the next step in his career. He seems to be looking forward to the new regime of Bobby Valentine, with whom he has spoken several times, and new pitching coach Bob McClure, with whom he says he’s had the most contact.
Lester doesn’t like what happened last season and wants to do his part to change things. He was really into some of the agility drills that the pitchers on hand were put through yesterday. He has done his normal throwing on the side and is expected to throw another bullpen session today. And he is excited about the progress of Matsuzaka and Rich Hill coming back from Tommy John surgery.
We’ll hear more from Lester when he is able to expand, but you get the sense from a brief conversation that he is ready to move on from last season.
Delivery options
Hill threw 20 pitches off a mound and long-tossed from 120 feet. He threw with some very good velocity off the mound from a three-quarters angle.
“It’s a building-up process,’’ said Hill, who is eight months removed from surgery. “You build up to where you feel great, but it’s a long process and there are different phases to this rehab.’’
Throwing three-quarters for now results in less stress on the arm and elbow. Hill would prefer to go back to being a sidearm reliever, which he converted to last season. He was very effective against lefthanded hitters with the funky delivery. Will he come back as a “down-under’’ pitcher?
“That’s something we’ll be talking about,’’ Hill said. “I’ve felt really good throwing over the top throughout the whole rehab process, but it’s really going to be about what’s needed for the team.
“Throwing low three-quarters out of the bullpen, obviously you’ve got to be able to get lefties and righties out.’’
