From Starter To Reliever

Hi everyone!

For those of you that are unaware, Dave has had a pretty difficult season since returning to the mound mid May. Originally everyone thought that he needed a couple of outings to find his mojo and then off to AAA, but that never happened.

Probably feeling the best he has in years, there was no explanation to the lack of command that had taken place, other than an arm feeling better means an arm thowing harder. Wild.

Dave was removed from the 40 man roster, that was a big blow for him, but business is business and they needed his spot, so after being designated for assignment, passing waivers, he's now back to square one.

Recently, Dave was removed as a starter and sent to the bullpen, some say it was a demotion. Ok if that is how they perceive it fine, it does appear that way. It was not presented that way to him. One night after a really bad start, a discussion was held with upper management and his current manager and it was decided that he might be more successful putting in fewer pitches 3-4 times a week, rather than 100 in 6 days. He did come out of the bullpen as well as close at Clemson. He also was very unhappy, so much so that he told us at one point he might need to walk away. That would be his decision but I knew that they wouldn't let him do that.

It's been an adjustment but he seems to be coming around, and he REALLY likes the pressure situation he finds himself in. He has two holds and a win as a reliever, just within this past week.

It's been an adjustment for us as well, no more planning around listening to starts every 6 days, and to be honest, actually seeing him pitch 3 times in 5 games while out to visit was a treat!