After the Red Sox’ spring training finale — a 7-3 loss to Minnesota at Hammond Stadium — manager Terry Francona confirmed that if all goes as planned Brad Penny will be making the April 12 start for the Sox in Anaheim. Penny finished off the spring schedule by pitching five innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out three and not walking a batter. He threw 79 pitches and is slated to next pitch on the Red Sox’ off day, Tuesday, although it has yet to be determined where that will be.

Penny was noticeably optimistic, especially in regards to his velocity, which was clocked as high as 96 mph by the Hammond Stadium radar gun. Here is what he said following the start, and before joining the Red Sox on the way to the airport:

“Great, no pain, Velocity was there. I threw a couple of pitches I wouldn’t normally throw in certain counts. I think today was probably the best overall stuff I’ve had in spring.”

  ”Today, I got to let it go, be more aggressive with it and at the same time work on my offspeed.”

 
“I threw a 3-2 split the guy hit up the middle. A couple of back-to-back curveballs to Redman. It was fine. Everything was great.”
 
(How he will stay sharp before April 12) “I don’t know. I’m just going to to about my five days. I know the off-day will be my fifth day so I don’t know what they’re going to do.”
 
(In his mind, is he ready to go for April 12) “Yeah, yeah. absolutely. It’s still up to them but my strength is there, velocity is there. I didn’t get tired out there today.”
 
(How excited is he) “It’s great. This is a lot of fun. This whole camp I’ve felt pretty good. I haven’t felt that bad. I’ve been fortunate. It’s easy to buy into what these guys do. My whole body feels great got a little tired that one time, one day out … I can’t wait to get on a plane.”
 
“I felt my velocity was the same throughout the whole game. That just shows my strength there. To me, mentally, I’m going out there fine. I felt like i could have more. I threw 14 in the pen after I came out of the game just to get my pitch count up. I didn’t want to be out there and be limited to 80 pitches and face one hitter. I’m fine.”
 
“I felt like I could throw my 80th pitch as hard as I threw the first.”
 
“It’s probably the hardest-working clubhouse i’ve ever been a part of. All around. Everyone works their butt off. his should be a fun year.
 
“The adrenaline is still not there. You get a little more fired up. Today is just like every other day … I can’t wait. Can’t wait.”
 
“This is legitimately the first time you come into camp thinking you’ve got a chance to win the World Series and mean it. I know every team says it – ‘This is the year we can win.’ But you know this team has a chance to play into November.”
 
“I feel pretty strong. The program they got me on here has obviously made me feel stronger.”
 
“This has been a long strong setback. I had that setback, I might be missing one or two starts. I’m definitely ready to go to Boston.”
 
(Proving people wrong) “I’m kind of past that. I didn’t have the velocity I have now last year at all. I don’t think there was a game I touched 95. As long as I’m healthy, I don’t feel like I have anything to prove. If you’re not healthy out there, it’s tough to get hitters out.”
 
(Compared to last year) “I probably topped out at 89 (mph)Opening Day.”
 
(On letting go the 96 mph fastball) “I usually grunt. I mean, I grunt. I’m kind of a max effort guy. I was reaching back a little bit. Jam, runners in scoring position.”