GLENDALE, Ariz. – After throwing off a mound for the first time since throwing 83 pitches against the Oakland A’s eight days ago, Jake Peavy said his shoulder felt OK and prepared himself for extended spring training.
Peavy (rotator cuff tendinitis) threw about 35 pitches Sunday morning, most of them from the stretch, and mixed in some breaking balls as pitching coach Don Cooper, manager Ozzie Guillen and other coaching staff watched.
Peavy will be with the team for the home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 7 “to cheer the boys on” and to reconnect with Cooper. He would make three or four rehab appearances after that before joining the team if all goes well.
“I know I’m going to stay here with the extended spring bunch,” Peavy said. “Coop, I know, wants me with the team and working with him, but through this first week with all the day games, and the weather being so nice out here, it doesn’t make much sense to go with the team just yet.
“So I want to stay here at least for a week or so and get a few side sessions in a game or two, or some simulated work, before I get back with the team. And obviously I’ll probably leave the team and do a few rehab stints before I get back with the team.”
Cooper gave Peavy a fist-bump and was in a good mood after Peavy’s session.
“One thing Jake can do, it’s like he doesn’t pick up a ball for seven, eight or nine days and he can go out there and flip his stuff over,” Cooper said. “He has tremendous touch and feel. More important than anything else, he felt good today.”
Phil Humber will take Peavy’s place in the rotation, although Opening Day starter Mark Buehrle could jump into the fifth spot on four days rest because of an off day.
“We’ll certainly have Humber ready to start, but if not, we can bring Buehrle back,” Cooper said. “That stuff all will be discussed.”
