ANAHEIM, Calif. - Chad Gaudin thinks throwing more will help him throw better.
Manager Lou Piniella noted that the 21-year-old right-hander has not been sharp in recent outings, specifically that his slider had flattened out.
"He's not throwing the ball like he was in spring training and early in the year, I can tell you that," Piniella said. "I don't see the same look in his eye that he had before."
Gaudin is being used primarily in short relief and, taking the advice of some veteran teammates, has not been throwing much during pregame workouts.
"I just need to find a median for what will keep me ready and keep me fine-tuned and not throwing too much," Gaudin said. "I'm just going to have to throw more. These veteran guys are telling me, "You want to save your bullets' and "Don't throw too much because you're going to be sore in June and August.' I'm not sure I'm going to be here in June and August if I don't get it done."
Gaudin and Piniella chatted Thursday, and Piniella mentioned moving Gaudin into a middle/long relief role so he would pitch more when he got in a game.
"Talking to the pitching coach (Chuck Hernandez), I think he does need to pitch longer duration," Piniella said. "The problem is when you're a short reliever it's hard to do that because now you're out of action for three or four days. It's a tough role for a young kid, I grant you. He's a 21-year-old young pitcher, still learning how to pitch. ... What he has to learn is how to stay sharper. It's not easy, it really isn't."
Gaudin said he would do whatever Piniella wanted but preferred to keep the assignment of pitching in pressure situations.
"Whatever role he's got me in, I'm going to adjust to it," Gaudin said. "I'm going to get it done, whatever it takes."
CATCHING ON: Piniella doesn't have a set plan for dividing time between his catchers.
He said he planned to use Brook Fordyce more and started him five times in an eight-game span. But Toby Hall was back behind the plate Thursday, and Piniella said he hadn't decided who would start tonight.
The choice can be difficult: Fordyce does a better job handling the pitchers and calling the game, while Hall is the better offensive player.
ON THE MARK: Mark Hendrickson won his spot in the rotation back with a strong outing Sunday against the A's and can strengthen his hold with another good game tonight.
The coaches liked not only what he threw Sunday but how he threw.
"He was more business out there," Piniella said.
The Rays wanted the 6-foot-9 left-hander to be more aggressive and pitch with more conviction, and he was better in both areas.
"I think that's part of pitching," Piniella said. "You can't be tentative. You can't be tentative about location, you can't be tentative about pitch selection, you can't be tentative about going after the hitter."
THAT'S ITALIAN: Managing general partner Vince Naimoli on Saturday will be inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago. Other honorees include Dan Marino, Frank Viola, John Calipari and the late Jim Valvano. Naimoli will be introduced by Diamondbacks CEO Jerry Colangelo.
MISCELLANY: Work continues on the sale of 48 percent of the team to New York investor Stuart Sternberg, but it won't be completed until next week. ... The Rays will go at least 28 games into the season without back-to-back wins; since 1961 only six teams went deeper into a season. ... Tonight is the Rays' 500th road game. ... Outfielder Jonny Gomes was activated off the disabled list at Triple-A Durham. ... Jason Standridge struggled in his second Triple-A rehabilitation start, allowing five earned runs and 11 hits in 42/3 innings.
