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Daniel Bard: ‘Today it felt like it kind of clicked a little more for me’ 03.07.13 at 4:03 pm ET
By Rob Bradford

Daniel Bard (AP)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The time off evidently did Daniel Bard a world of good.

The reliever struck out all three Minnesota batters he faced Thursday afternoon at Hammond Stadium, throwing a fastball that topped out at 97 mph. This after Bard skipped his last scheduled appearance to work on mechanics, while also throwing a 20-pitch simulated game.

“It felt good. The last week, playing catch and not throwing in a game has been good for me,” said Bard, who was pitching for the third time in game action this spring. “I was pleased with the first two times but I knew I could do better. Mechanically, I knew something needed to click and I watched some video after the Tampa Bay outing and just saw something that was an easy fix. I just wasn’t getting my hand on top of the ball. Everything else I liked of what I saw. The lower-half was working right. Today it felt like it kind of clicked a little more for me.”

Bard’s fastball sat at between 94-97 mph, with his fifth pitch of the appearance (to Minnesota’s Jeff Clement) hitting a velocity (97 mph) he hadn’t touched since last April. Besides Clement, the other two Twins hitters to go down Eduardo Escobar and Brandon Boggs.

While the reliever only a few sliders, the off-speed pitch was getting noticeable uncomfortable reactions from the Minnesota hitters. His final pitch, a 94 mph fastball, got a late swing (and miss) from Boggs.

“I don’t know what my velocity was, but it felt as good as it’s felt in a long time coming out,” said Bard, who said he was “locked in” during the bullpen session leading up to the appearance in the sixth inning. “There’s finishing on the ball. It’s got some late life to it. Some late swings. It’s a good feeling to get those reactions.

“That’s what spring training is all about. Not only getting ready, but getting mentally ready. It’s nice to have some of these to get the confidence rolling and build on it every time out.”

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  • Anonymous

     Looks like the Sox have a pitching problem on their hands—-like too many major league caliber pitchers. If they carry 11 pitchers, with 5 of them starters, that leaves 6 relievers. According to the spring training stats, they have Bard, Miller, Morales, Uehara, Aceves, Tazawa, Hanrahan and Bailey as major league quality relievers. So what two don’t make it? Miller and Tazawa? 

  • kozlodoev

    The correct answer: whoever has options.

  • http://twitter.com/Zj_6 Zack Jones

    Those are you’re best two in that group. Aceves still has options and Morales is going to be a starter in the minors

  • Hite1015

    Miller is on the team, especially with the other two lefties hurt (Morales and Breslow).  Hanrahan is the closer (for now), Uehara are definites.. Bard has options, Tazawa I believe is out of options? and should make the team, Aceves and/ or Bailey could be traded.. Good problem to have!!

  • Mr. Peanut

    Isn’t Miller to inconsistent? I would think he be moved.

  • Pedro

    Bard’s velocity is coming back, too bad he can’t find his brain

  • http://twitter.com/jlec93 John LeClair

    It’s not so much the velocity, but what about the control?  Is he gonna throw a 97 MPH fastball in the zone or at a batters head?

  • Kingkelly

    Why don’t you concentrate on finding your own “lost gray matter” there, Pedro.  Maybe then you could post a sentiment we haven’t already heard a dozen time and memorized before New Year’s.  Just sayin’ 

  • Doug from Woburn

    Of all the if’s, buts and maybe with the sox , Bard is right at the top of the list.

  • Thacher Robert

    If they waste Aceves in the minors,like the did in 2011,that would be dumb. This guy can pitch in that one role.6th and 7th .Because of a very bad rotation,the bullpen has to dominate. Hanrahan showed signs of slippage last year, and I don’t expect him to be effective at all in the AL East. They should have signed the 2nd best closer in the game,who is Alfono Soriano.  Breslow is hurt and useless,which brings me to Scott Aitchison. He really came into his own last year. Why was he not brought back? What you have is a pen full of question marks. Bard will lose them games in April  as they experiment with him. He is done. Tawaza will never duplicate his numbers from last year.Miller is still questionable. Bailey is unlikely to ever approach his sub 2:00 ERA of a few years ago. Everyone of these guys will have to have career years for the team to win. Oh, and where is Rich Kelly?

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