Tommy Hunter making progress, Alexi Ogando to continue as starter
Tommy Hunter may not be part of the current rotation list of the Texas Rangers but the supreme hurler is looking good in rehabilitation. The starter was up and running in Arlington as he is trying to wrap things up and get back to playing the game.
The ball thrower entered the disabled list during spring training. His right groin muscle was strained during a workout and that brought Alexi Ogando to the starting line up.
The player recently got to throw in a bullpen session and he underwent an agility drill that was put in place to test his injury. Fortunately, there were no problems.
"I threw a long time and I felt good", Hunter said.
He could not elaborate on how many times he pitched and for how long he kept on throwing.
"It was long...forever", Hunter said.
The next step for Hunter involves a live batting session where the pitcher will be asked to throw 50 times. He will either then be assigned to another bullpen session, or, he will be sent to Arizona for an extended spring session. Over there he will throw
in live games.
"He passed the test as far as the injury, now it's just a matter of going through the Spring Training part of throwing to hitters", pitching Coach Mike Maddux said.
Brandon Webb is another person in the mix and he is also scheduled to hit the minor leagues. The player is also trying to make his way back to the starting line up and he will be active this spring.
In the meanwhile, manager Ron Washington has voiced his support for starter, Alexi Ogando. The former setup man will not be heading to the bullpen anytime soon and that comes from the skipper’s own mouth.
"We're going to straighten out what we've got and let Ogando take the ball every fifth day", Washington said. "You can't rob Peter to pay Paul, and you can't pay Paul until Peter gets it done".
The situation looks to be the same as Ogando will pitch against the Kansas City Royals on April 23, 2011.
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