By Robert Dvorchak, Pittsburg Post-Gazette Sports Writer
Kris Benson will be back in the Pirates' starting rotation Monday, 355 days
after he had reconstructive elbow surgery and more than 19 months after his
last outing in the final game played at Three Rivers Stadium.
His pitching opponent at PNC Park is
expected to be Curt Schilling of the
defending world champion Arizona
Diamondbacks.
To make room for Benson in the
rotation, openingday starter Ron
Villone was moved to the bullpen.
The Pirates are staying with 12
pitchers, which means they must
make a move involving the bullpen before Benson is activated Monday.
Reports are that Benson is healthy and ready to go after five rehab starts in
the minor leagues. But nobody, including Benson, knows what to expect,
given the fact that every other pitcher who had similar surgery took some time
to get back into the groove.
"This has been my goal. This is my final step," Benson said yesterday. "I can't
forecast or predict what's going to happen. Who knows? I have to learn the
hitters again."
Benson, who would have pitched the inaugural game at PNC Park if he had
not had elbow problems last year in spring training, admits to being nervous
and anxious before every start. But he figures to be "more excited than when I
first got called up."
It will be a victory of sorts just to be in a Pirates uniform again. But as
gratified as they are to have Benson back, the Pirates already have mapped a
conservative program for him -- pitch counts of 90 to 95, extra days of rest
and perhaps missing a turn here or there throughout the season.
"He's passed all the tests. I see no reason to hold back any longer," said
Manager Lloyd McClendon. "I'll be pleased to see him toe the rubber. He
just needs to be careful. As much as he possibly can, he needs to try to stay
within himself. I want to see him compete, stay healthy and give us five or six
quality innings.
"Kris has a chance to be a special pitcher in this league. If he's healthy, I'm
probably a smarter manager. We waited this long. We're certainly not going
to do anything to jeopardize his future or the future of this organization with
him on the mound. I think it's safe to say we'll be very cautious"
Benson began an arduous rehab just days after having a tendon replaced in
his right elbow May 22. There were days of throwing on the indoor mound at
PNC Park, slow tedious steps in spring training and getting his pitch count
back up in the minors. The only setback he had was minor, some tendinitis in
his triceps that forced him to skip a start.
But assistant general manager Roy Smith said anyone who saw Benson pitch
in his past three starts would not have suspected he had arm surgery. And
McClendon said Benson's stuff has been "electrifying," with a fastball in the
94- to 96-mph range and a slider in the 87- to 89-mph range.
"I've been ready for a while. My arm's still fine. I just had to get my pitch
count up," Benson said. "It feels awesome [to be back]. I've been all smiles
ever since I've been in here. I'm looking forward to this season, looking
forward to getting back in dugout."
General Manager Dave Littlefield wants to be as realistic as possible about
Benson's return. He pointed to the results Matt Morris of the St. Louis
Cardinals and Kerry Wood of the Chicago Cubs had after having similar
surgery. Both are premier pitchers, but they needed the better part of a
season to regain their top form.
"We're happy to have him out there and feeling healthy," Littlefield said. "But
as far as performance is concerned, it's kind of like what we talked about all
year. I'm planning on Kris Benson having a minimal impact on the Pittsburgh
Pirates in 2002.
"I hope he does well. I'm rooting for him to do well. I don't want to sound
pessimistic, but I have minimal expectations based on my experience of seeing
the past history of pitchers having this type of surgery."
And as far as pitching an opener at PNC Park, Benson allowed himself to
look down the road.
"We'll shoot for next year," he said. "We'll see what happens next opening
day."
......................................................................................................................................................
from yahoo:
In 2000, Kris went 10-12, with a 3.85 ERA, and set a club record for most strikeouts (184) by a righthanded pitcher.
The Pirates were shut out in three of his 32 starts and scored three or fewer runs in 16 of them. In 1999, the former
Clemson University standout went 11-14 and led all National League rookie pitchers in ERA (4.07), innings pitched
(196.2) and strikeouts (139). Kris also held opponents to a .249 batting average, the ninth-best mark in the NL.
Kris Benson will be back in the Pirates' starting rotation Monday, 355 days
after he had reconstructive elbow surgery and more than 19 months after his
last outing in the final game played at Three Rivers Stadium.
His pitching opponent at PNC Park is
expected to be Curt Schilling of the
defending world champion Arizona
Diamondbacks.
To make room for Benson in the
rotation, openingday starter Ron
Villone was moved to the bullpen.
The Pirates are staying with 12
pitchers, which means they must
make a move involving the bullpen before Benson is activated Monday.
Reports are that Benson is healthy and ready to go after five rehab starts in
the minor leagues. But nobody, including Benson, knows what to expect,
given the fact that every other pitcher who had similar surgery took some time
to get back into the groove.
"This has been my goal. This is my final step," Benson said yesterday. "I can't
forecast or predict what's going to happen. Who knows? I have to learn the
hitters again."
Benson, who would have pitched the inaugural game at PNC Park if he had
not had elbow problems last year in spring training, admits to being nervous
and anxious before every start. But he figures to be "more excited than when I
first got called up."
It will be a victory of sorts just to be in a Pirates uniform again. But as
gratified as they are to have Benson back, the Pirates already have mapped a
conservative program for him -- pitch counts of 90 to 95, extra days of rest
and perhaps missing a turn here or there throughout the season.
"He's passed all the tests. I see no reason to hold back any longer," said
Manager Lloyd McClendon. "I'll be pleased to see him toe the rubber. He
just needs to be careful. As much as he possibly can, he needs to try to stay
within himself. I want to see him compete, stay healthy and give us five or six
quality innings.
"Kris has a chance to be a special pitcher in this league. If he's healthy, I'm
probably a smarter manager. We waited this long. We're certainly not going
to do anything to jeopardize his future or the future of this organization with
him on the mound. I think it's safe to say we'll be very cautious"
Benson began an arduous rehab just days after having a tendon replaced in
his right elbow May 22. There were days of throwing on the indoor mound at
PNC Park, slow tedious steps in spring training and getting his pitch count
back up in the minors. The only setback he had was minor, some tendinitis in
his triceps that forced him to skip a start.
But assistant general manager Roy Smith said anyone who saw Benson pitch
in his past three starts would not have suspected he had arm surgery. And
McClendon said Benson's stuff has been "electrifying," with a fastball in the
94- to 96-mph range and a slider in the 87- to 89-mph range.
"I've been ready for a while. My arm's still fine. I just had to get my pitch
count up," Benson said. "It feels awesome [to be back]. I've been all smiles
ever since I've been in here. I'm looking forward to this season, looking
forward to getting back in dugout."
General Manager Dave Littlefield wants to be as realistic as possible about
Benson's return. He pointed to the results Matt Morris of the St. Louis
Cardinals and Kerry Wood of the Chicago Cubs had after having similar
surgery. Both are premier pitchers, but they needed the better part of a
season to regain their top form.
"We're happy to have him out there and feeling healthy," Littlefield said. "But
as far as performance is concerned, it's kind of like what we talked about all
year. I'm planning on Kris Benson having a minimal impact on the Pittsburgh
Pirates in 2002.
"I hope he does well. I'm rooting for him to do well. I don't want to sound
pessimistic, but I have minimal expectations based on my experience of seeing
the past history of pitchers having this type of surgery."
And as far as pitching an opener at PNC Park, Benson allowed himself to
look down the road.
"We'll shoot for next year," he said. "We'll see what happens next opening
day."
......................................................................................................................................................
from yahoo:
In 2000, Kris went 10-12, with a 3.85 ERA, and set a club record for most strikeouts (184) by a righthanded pitcher.
The Pirates were shut out in three of his 32 starts and scored three or fewer runs in 16 of them. In 1999, the former
Clemson University standout went 11-14 and led all National League rookie pitchers in ERA (4.07), innings pitched
(196.2) and strikeouts (139). Kris also held opponents to a .249 batting average, the ninth-best mark in the NL.
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