GLENDALE, Ariz. — Isotopes right-hander Josh Lindblom has been a reliever, a starter, a reliever again, a starter again and now finally seems set for a permanent role out of the bullpen.
Right-hander Jon Link has always been a reliever, but is now facing a switch to the rotation for the first time.
The two pitchers are approaching their new/old roles in different ways, but both are willing to do whatever it takes to help their team and their careers.
"The only thing I enjoy about starting is getting to hit," said Link, who only started once in 45 appearances with the Isotopes last season (3-2, 3.71 ERA, four saves). "That’s the one thing I enjoy. I don’t have the patience to start. (But) I’ll do whatever the club needs me to do, I’ll make the best of it, make the best I can."
Link said starting takes an entirely different kind of mentality than the one he has had throughout his career.
“I don’t like waiting five days to pitch again, especially if you have a bad start and you have to sit on it," Link said. "If you have a good start you obviously want to keep things rolling, so you’re really anxious to get into a game.
"If they ask me to start wherever, in Los Angeles or in Albuquerque or (Double-A) Chattanooga or wherever, I’ll do whatever they ask me to do."
While Link is coming off a solid season, Lindblom is looking to rebound from a rough 2010 campaign (3-2, 6.45 ERA, 143 hits allowed in 95 innings) with Albuquerque.
Lindblom has spent the bulk of the spring in minor-league camp, but he does have four scoreless innings with the Dodgers' big-league squad.
“I’m really just getting my delivery back to where it was two years ago, the first time I was in Albuquerque," Lindblom said. "I’m making a few mechanical adjustments to get back to where I was."
Lindblom said the Dodgers told him he will stay in the bullpen for good now.
“It makes it a little easier," he said. "The transition back and forth makes it a little tough. Most of my success has been coming out of the bullpen. That’s where I’m comfortable. I’ll be able to be on that routine all the time."
The Isotopes open their season April 7 in Albuquerque.
Comments