One clear benefit of Rick's departure.

[Guest attgig]

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080729&content_id=3219136&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym

]Pelfrey said because of his new mentality, his command has been a lot better. But the addition -- or the re-introduction -- of a curveball has helped matters, too. Pelfrey said a couple of years ago, former Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson told him to scrap the curveball because he couldn't consistently throw it for strikes. But when Dan Warthen took control of the pitching staff, he told Pelfrey to give it a shot again to help him set up his fastball. "[Throwing a curveball] always helps with the spreading of velocity," said Warthen, who added he prefers he use it in "non-danger counts," like 0-0 and 0-1. "He can continue to stay down in the zone, but I like the idea of him spreading out the velocity with his pitches, not just the changeup. "I think it's a quality pitch. I've always thought that."

[soupcan]

I read that a few days ago and wondered why Peterson would say that to Pelfrey.

I know that after Peterson left he was asked what he was most proud of during his time with the Mets and his answer was that he was proud of the fact that pitching staff suffered no major injuries while he was there.

With all we are reading about the change-up (or 'cambio' as Mr. Hernandez likes to call it) being introduced to young Dominican pitchers as an alternative to the elbow-damaging curve, perhaps Peterson's motivation had more to do with keeping Pelfrey healthy.

[smg58]

In Peterson's defense, Pelfrey's turnaround started on May 31, before he left. Plus Peterson worked a lot with Pelfrey over the last two years, and you can make the argument that Warthen is reaping the benefits of Peterson's work.

That being said, wouldn't Pedro missing a year be considered a major injury?

[soupcan]

Yeah - I don't know what to tell you - that's what the man said.

[Guest AG/DC]

In other fairness, Pelfrey's listing the re-introduction of the curveball as a peripheral factor in his improvement. Hard to say what he means by major. I'd guess he means no elbows going pop, but I won't, because Zambrano's actually exploded on the mound.

Perhaps he means pitchers in the development pipeline, but didn't Humber get knocked out on his watch?

[TransMonk]

="smg58"] That being said, wouldn't Pedro missing a year be considered a major injury?

I agree. And El Duque. And Zambrano (NTTAWWT).

He must have meant young pitchers.

[Valadius]

Peterson is one arrogant dude.

[Guest AG/DC]

Don't make too much of that.

[Fman99]

AG/DC wrote: In other fairness, Pelfrey's listing the re-introduction of the curveball as a peripheral factor in his improvement. Hard to say what he means by major. I'd guess he means no elbows going pop, but I won't, because Zambrano's actually exploded on the mound. Perhaps he means pitchers in the development pipeline, but didn't Humber get knocked out on his watch?

I was at the game that VZ's elbow went pfffft. It was odd, too, because he got a strikeout (of Andruw Jones, IIRC) and then darted off the mound.

My wife and I theorized that he was suffering from "intestinal distress" and was making a beeline for the toilet.