From the Enquirer:
By the time Reds pitchers and catchers report for spring training Feb. 16 in Sarasota, Fla., Wilson will have been working out and throwing to build arm strength as he comes back from shoulder surgery for a almost a month.
If we stay the way we are, I see no problems,” said Wilson, who flew to Cincinnati for a routine checkup Thursday. “Don’t get me wrong – there are always going to be setbacks. We’re not saying that there won’t be.
“Right now, as it stands, we’ve progressed a whole lot. I’m encouraged. I’m really encouraged.”
Wilson threw 60 fastballs off the mound, at roughly 75 percent effort, for the eighth time Wednesday.
Expectations are he will be close physically to where other Reds pitchers will be when the staff reports and begins workouts Feb. 18.
“Physically I’m stronger than I’ve ever been in my life,” said Wilson, who has lost 20 pounds this offseason. “… We’re waiting for baseball strength, and the only way you get baseball strength is by throwing the baseball every day or every other day as we’re doing.”
Sounds to me like, barring a set back, Wilson should be ready for Opening Day. If he can regain his past effectiveness, he’ll be approximately “league average”, which will be vastly improved from what we suffered through last year.
“Physically I’m stronger than I’ve ever been in my life,†said Wilson, who has lost 20 pounds this offseason. “
Was it just me or did Wilson actually seem like he was underweight last year to begin with? He looked like he could put a few pounds on to fill out his uniform. And now he’s 20 pounds lighter?
I’ll take a league average Wilson with no problems at all. Add to that a league average Milton and this team is a contender next year.
Good to hear Wilson is looking good at this point.
Peter Gammons is reporting that the Reds are shopping Milton. No word on any suitors or offers.
I can’t imagine any team taking him on without the Reds assuming a large part of his remaining two years, which I would not be in favor of. While cutting losses is appealing, doing so would be the ultimate in buying high and selling low. He just can’t pitch worse than last year (right?).