Daniel Palka was one of many highlights of the 2018 season, hitting a stunning 27 house runs and wowing followers with spectacular exit velocities.
So far in 2019, Palka continues to be ready to make an influence.
Entering Sunday’s sport towards the Mariners, Palka was zero for 21 on the season with 9 strikeouts.
“There are positives, things feel good, it’s just a little bit of pressing right now,” Palka mentioned. “Kind of took a step back after yesterday and just restarted. Mechanically, everything looks good. It’s just a matter of one dropping in there and getting started. I think the thing that annoys me most is that I’m not contributing to wins. I want to give the guys high fives on my side, too. It’s just a matter of staying positive. Not much else to say about it.”
Daniel Palka swings throughout a spring coaching sport in Peoria, Arizona. | AP
Palka is aware of one hit may change issues for him. He simply can’t rush into something and attempt to pressure motion.
“Realistically, I’ve just got to be patient. I’m not someone who gets a lot of pitches to hit because of some of the successes I’ve had,” Palka mentioned. “My mentality is always like, ‘I want to do it, I want to do it now.’ I’ve just got to take a step back and be patient up there.”
To be Tuesday?
Manager Rick Renteria didn’t affirm, however Ervin Santana is an effective wager to begin Tuesday towards Tampa Bay. Limited to 5 begins final season in Minnesota due to a proper center finger difficulty, Santana joined the Sox on Feb. 23 and made two spring coaching appearances.
He had a facet session Saturday, threw a pair of intrasquad video games again in Arizona, and appears stretched out sufficient to begin. And after a season coping with harm points, Santana is glad to be totally wholesome.
“Big difference to just be myself right now and playing catch and all the throwing,” Santana mentioned.
Jonesing to enhance
In an inning of labor Saturday, Nate Jones did permit an inherited runner to attain however his velocity reached 96 and struck out two. It was an excellent signal for Jones, who had a 12.15 ERA in spring coaching and entered Saturday with a 16.20 ERA in three regular-season appearances.
“We’re hoping that every time we get him out there he’s able to get more and more comfortable,” Renteria mentioned. “He had a lot of down time last year so hopefully he’s on track and trending upward. I’m hoping every outing we give him puts him in a better position to become who he was in the past and he’s able to help us in big situations.”
Jones solely pitched in 44 video games from 2017-18 due to accidents, and the one purpose Renteria can be involved about Jones can be well being.
“He feels really good so it’s more just getting him out there and giving him as many opportunities as possible to see if we can get a feel back for him,” Renteria mentioned.