Hermanson's session positive

[SSH2005]

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=cws

Notes: Hermanson's session positive

Contreras tentatively scratched from Monday's game

 

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

 

TUCSON, Ariz. -- As Dustin Hermanson finished his 10-minute bullpen session Friday morning, pitching coach Don Cooper quickly gave his verdict on the 42-pitch workout.

 

"It went well," Cooper yelled out to a couple of media members looking on. "Better than expected. We'll go from here."

 

A strong side session was encouraging for Hermanson, who hasn't pitched since leaving last Sunday's game with back pain at the start of his second inning of work. But Hermanson understands it's anything but conclusive in regard to a healthy future.

 

Hermanson presented the example of how he felt great early on in Spring Training, when he was throwing bullpens and live batting practice, but it was throwing in the game situations that brought about the pain. The right-hander expected normal soreness later Friday and into Saturday after his mound effort, but if the back pain continues throughout his next few game appearances, then Hermanson might have to weigh a few new options.

 

Much like last year, Hermanson can try to manage the pain throughout the season. He also has a couple of surgical options, including the fusing of vertebrae together, but Hermanson said they both have a number of inherent risks. The final option for Hermanson would be to make a decision in regard to retirement.

 

It's a decision the 30-year-old would like to put off for two or three years, at least. But he knows it could be inevitable.

 

"I hope it doesn't come to that, but it may. I don't know," said Hermanson, following Friday's bullpen. "I can't keep pitching with the pain I had last year and these last couple of outings. That's why we are resorting to pain management. We are not in the pitching part.

 

"I'm really hoping for the best. I don't want to face anything else, to make any decisions, whether to have surgery or to rip my jersey from my back."

 

The pain has caused Hermanson to have trouble finishing his pitches, meaning that his velocity has been way down and his pitches have been up in the strike zone. That combination leaves him a pretty easy mark for opposing hitters.

 

"You leave the ball up in the zone and it's like taping it to your forehead and running it in there for the guy to hit," Hermanson said. "That's not being fair to myself or the team."

 

An especially frustrating point for Hermanson stems from his arrival at camp in the best physical condition since throwing 95-98 mph on a regular basis seven or eight years ago. Hermanson worked hard during the offseason at strengthening his back and hopes that dedication makes the back quicker to respond than it did at the end of the 2005 campaign.

 

Hermanson already has received one epidural injection and has one more on each of the next two Tuesdays. Hermanson hopes the epidural will be able to lessen the pain for 2-2 1/2 months at a time, making it possible to get through the season. When he had the epidural last year, it only relieved the pain for four or five days at a time.

 

While Hermanson's mechanics were solid Friday and the ball felt good out of his hand, it was a light bullpen session by his own admission. The next test will be in two or three days, when Hermanson pushes a little harder on the side and figures out if getting back in the game is an immediate option, without doing serious damage to his body.

 

"I won't take a chance on not being able to pick up my kids later in life," Hermanson said. "I'm hoping the epidurals work the second time around. We will see how it all reacts as I pitch."

 

A healthy response: Jose Contreras has tentatively been scratched from Monday's start in Surprise, but said Friday that his right elbow felt no pain. He's going to play long toss Saturday, in an attempt to see if he can still pitch Monday. But manager Ozzie Guillen is in no rush to push Contreras back to the mound. He simply has two more starts slotted for Contreras before the end of Spring Training.

 

Guillen has the same opinion where Scott Podsednik is concerned. Although Podsednik could be ready for action by Tuesday, there's no hurry to return the leadoff man to the Cactus League lineup. Podsednik had a cortisone shot in his sore left shoulder on Wednesday and went through a full workout on Friday.

 

Podsednik took some swings in the cage and had a good batting practice session, adding that his throws also felt good. His plan is to increase activity and get into as many games as possible before April 2. There's no fear on Podsednik's part that this shoulder problem could become chronic.

 

"I think it's a one-time thing," said Podsednik, who was able to continue working his legs, despite the shoulder problem. "I could feel where [athletic trainer] Herm [schneider] helped me strengthen the shoulder, and this should close the door."

 

No relief: If Guillen's criticism of his relievers on the proverbial roster bubble, the ones not exactly doing a convincing job of earning a spot, sounds like a familiar refrain, it's only because he challenged them less than a week ago. Agustin Montero was the latest to struggle Friday, failing to protect an 8-7 lead in the ninth, by allowing two earned runs on three hits.

 

Even Armando Almanza and Tim Redding, who combined for three scoreless innings, were unable to earn Guillen's total approval.

 

"They throw pretty good, but I need more consistency," Guillen said. "They go out and pitch pretty good one day and then two days later, they stunk. I want more consistency from them to make this thing interesting."

 

Guillen pointed to the emergence of Boone Logan, who was pitching for Great Falls in the Advanced Rookie Pioneer League last season, as an issue of embarrassment for the veterans who have not emerged.

 

A day at the office: What did Mark Buehrle take from his five innings on Friday, during which he allowed four earned runs on nine hits, while striking out five? Basically, he increased his pitch count once again and continued building toward the regular season.

 

"I got tired near the end, so hopefully next time, I'll get to 80 pitches and be strong enough," said Buehrle, who had rare location problems Friday, despite walking just one. "But I don't care if it's Spring Training or anything else. I want to get guys out and not get hit around.

 

"You want positive results every time out there," Buehrle added.

 

Third to first: Outfielder Jerry Owens and left-handed reliever Paulino Reynoso were optioned to Triple-A Charlotte following Friday's contest. Guillen wanted Owens to get more consistent at-bats, and believes Reynoso is not too far removed from the Majors. The White Sox have 37 players remaining in camp. ... Guillen's pro wrestling debut airs Saturday night on TNA IMPACT on Spike-TV at 10 p.m. CT. In a segment taped in Tucson, Guillen came to the defense of catcher A.J. Pierzynski with a chair shot to Simon Diamond, who unexpectedly arrived at Spring Training.

[jphat007]

Good news all around on the (non) injury front. At this point I am sure they aren't expecting very much from Hermy.

[SSH2005]

Good news all around on the (non) injury front. At this point I am sure they aren't expecting very much from Hermy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agreed, KW's probably looking for fall-back options as we speak. That retirement talk would make anyone look for a replacement.

[iWiN4PreP]

I want to see pods do well.

[Flash Tizzle]

I want to see pods do well.

.............

 

About Hermanson, I don't like where this situation is heading. Even if he were healthy I wouldn't have anticipated stats mirroring his career numbers last season. Nothing--from his durability to his 'stuff'--would have convinced me otherwise.

 

Now add in back issues, this problem can't possibly be resolved come April. This is what I believe will happen: he'll remain on the club, continually insist his back is fine, and basically become Soxtalk's whipping boy because health issues limit his effectiveness. I know Hermanson's personality enough to where you'd have to drag him off the field before he agrees to surgery.

 

I understand the situation he's in--back surgery is inherently risky and may jeopardize his career. But is wincing on the mound after every follow-through worth it? Or meeting with Schneider frequently to limit the pain? Or putting management in a tough position because they certaintly don't want to suggest surgery, but if Hermanson's not completely healthy, atleast there's remains enough time before Opending Day to acquire bullpen help.

 

If by some false assurance Hermanson remains on our roster, I would hope another arm not currently in camp would fill the last vacant spot. This scenario would push Boone Logan back down to the minors. However, when Hermanson's back inevitably falls off Logan can be promoted. I wouldn't approve of this, but it could be worse. If Hermanson doesn't reinjure himself pitching, then he surely will fielding the massive amounts of bunts opposing teams will put down.

Edited March 18, 2006 by Flash Tizzle

[The Critic]

I like the honest approach Coop gives.

He's been optimistic, but not dismissing the physical problems like other Chicago teams might.

I just love this team.

[Balta1701]

Now add in back issues, this problem can't possibly be resolved come April. This is what I believe will happen: he'll remain on the club, continually insist his back is fine, and basically become Soxtalk's whipping boy because health issues limit his effectiveness. I know Hermanson's personality enough to where you'd have to drag him off the field before he agrees to surgery.

 

I understand the situation he's in--back surgery is inherently risky and may jeopardize his career. But is wincing on the mound after every follow-through worth it? Or meeting with Schneider frequently to limit the pain? Or putting management in a tough position because they certaintly don't want to suggest surgery, but if Hermanson's not completely healthy, atleast there's remains enough time before Opending Day to acquire bullpen help.

Hopefully, we can count on Dustin Hermanson to be slightly more honest about his condition than Marte was last year. If his back isn't fine, hopefully he'll at least tell the management how it feels.