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Rehabbing Rich Hill mulling delivery options

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February 11, 2012|By Nick Cafardo

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Red Sox lefthander Rich 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 Tommy John 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.’’

In nine appearances before blowing out his elbow May 29, he did not allow a run. He has one of the best curveballs in baseball and was throwing in the 92-94 m.p.h. range as well.

“Staying down there with consistency is the key,’’ said Hill. “The head stays on the target longer, the breaking ball was really effective down there. The fastball was extremely effective, too, because now I’ve created almost a sinker rather than a four-seam fastball.’’