PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It doesn't build a ton of fan confidence when your team's starting pitcher says this.
"Hopefully the mound feels like 60'6", you try not to think about it," said Trevor Cahill. "It's been awhile."
The first year Pirate is referring to only pitching in two games in Spring Training, after signing following the start of training camp. He gave up three hits, three runs with three walks and a strikeout in 3.2 innings in Grapefruit League play.
"He's stretched out more than you guys seen just because of the fact he threw backfields," said manager Derek Shelton. "He threw the last day at Pirate City while we were down playing the Twins. He's stretched out four innings plus. We can expect him to be stretched out probably where everyone else is at right now."
"The biggest thing is just getting comfortable, just being in game situations," Cahill said. "I was throwing so many live BPs, but it doesn't compare to even a Spring Training game. Where there are actual fielders."
It's not like it's his first time out there, he's pitched 6,294 innings in 352 Major League games. Just rarely having this little time to prepare.
"I think I'm in a good spot," Cahill said, adding he's built up quickly before. "I don't know what their plan is as far as if there is a pitch count or whatever. I've always just gone out there and pitched until the manager has taken the ball out of my hands. That's all I can do and that's what I plan to keep doing."
Cahill wouldn't know because it's his first year with the Pirates, his 10th MLB team and sixth team in the last five years.
"You always want to get off on a good foot with a new team," Cahill said as he faces old teammate Wade Miley, now with the Reds. "There are so many games. You don't want to put too much emphasis on any one start. Definitely getting off on a good foot, being with a new team, fresh faces, especially since they haven't seen me in camp."
Cahill is not a prototypical 2021 starter. He doesn't throw a plus fastball. He doesn't get a ton of strikeouts. He relies on keeping the ball down and getting the ball hit on the ground.
"Coming out and trying to throw strikes, see what pitches are working," Cahill said of expectations of his first start. "Sometimes I joke I have four or five different pitches because usually a couple of them aren't working. Just kind of getting back and getting comfortable."
Shelton said he doesn't want to put too much on Cahill being a veteran on a relatively young pitching staff. Cahill is one of four pitchers 30 years-old plus. He's the elder at 33.
"I think our expectations are to cover innings and throw strikes," Shelton said.
