Bartolo Colon looked sharp in the most recent step of his return to action last night, holding the defending Dominican Winter League and Carribean Series champions the Leones del Escogido to a pair of singles in five scoreless innings. Colon struck out six for the Alguiles del Cibao, according to Jose Caceres' recap in the Dominican daily Hoy (link in Spanish), as he generally overwhelmed hitters with a mixture of fastballs and sinkers.
Colon announced he was attempting a comeback to Yoel Adames of ESPN Deportes in late October while pitching for the champion Dominican team in the Pan-American Games qualifier. He said at the time that he "maintains conversations" with the Yankees, Rockies, Cardinals, and Tigers, though other teams approached him following his complete game victory over Nicaragua on October 10. The 37-year-old right-hander was solid in three of his four appearances in Puerto Rico, the only exception being a 2.3-inning, six-run drubbing by Team USA that Colon chalked up to inadequate rest.
Though he hasn't pitched in the majors since 2009, Colon pointed to the offseason following the 2005 season as the focal point of his decline. That winter, Colon pitched for the Dominican Republic in the inaugural World Baseball Classic, fresh off of his 21-win, 222 inning Cy Young campaign. The extra workload, he said, left a lingering soreness in his pitching elbow that marred his ensuing three seasons with the Angels and Red Sox, culminating in surgery to remove bone spurs in 2009.
After signing with the White Sox in January 2009, Colon was effective through 19 starts, pitching to a 4.19 ERA before a knee injury ended his season in July. He said he has devoted the ensuing year to training in the Domincan Republic, and he claims to be throwing pain-free at his customary "full velocity." If Colon continues to pitch well and is willing to sign for around the $1MM that he received from the White Sox in 2009, he could make sense for the teams on his contact list and a number of others looking to add some upside to the back end of their rotation.
I thought this guy just went AWOL on the White Sox and nobody had any idea where he was?
That did happen. IIRC he did something similar the year before with the Red Sox. Makes you question the guy’s make-up a little bit.
no he went awol on the sox there are many quotes from last year of ozzie asking the media if they have heard from bartolo becuase he was no where to be found
I know…that’s why I said it happened. I also said I seem to remember it happening to the Red Sox also.
I was going to say the same thing. He just up and left the Sox.
I won’t hold that against him.
It’s hard to hold anything attached with Colon. He’s a big boy.
If they think his health will hold up, the Cards could take a flier on him. Here’s hoping the sign Westbrook, trade Lohse for Figgins (money/prospects evening out that deal), and find a power bat somewhere.
Anyone think Uggla could be had for a package built around Lance Lynn and Jon Jay?
That’s not close to being enough.
I think it will take much more than that to land him. I’m curious to know why you think the cards need a power bat in a lineup that consists of Pujols and Holliday as your 3-4 hitters?
Because the rest of the offense was flat for most of the year. Those two guys can’t do it alone.
Hi @$$ is so big he’s always on some radar.
The Latin Sid Fernandez. Oh wait. What?
LOL, more like the Dominican Kenny Powers.
Kelvin Escobar takes home that award. I remember in the ALCS in 2005, Paul Konerko hit a line drive to the mound and it bounced of Escobar’s bottom, and he had no painful reaction to it, nonchalantly threw to 1st for the out, and moved on. You can land a helicopter on that.
Indians fans still love Bartolo! Not only did he have some fantastic years in Cleveland, but he also brought them Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips, and Grady Sizemore (from the Expos)! Bartolo Colon was truly the gift that kept on giving lol…
How many are still with the team and successful?
Too bad the Indians didn’t get anyone good for Cliff Lee or Brandon Phillips for that matter…
at the time Lee was a mediocre pitcher
A mediocre pitcher doesnt go 22-3 with a era under 3.
he’s on the radar at Old Country Buffet
I wouldn’t take a chance on him!
If someone gives him 3 million it could be a good deal. He could be a sleeper like Jim Edmonds this year.
Special contract incentives must include…Access to all you can eat buffets, a happy meal for every start, and unlimited choco tacos!
The hispanic Kenny Powers
La Flama Blanca FTW!!
DAMN IT, I posted mine before I saw yours. Well played my friend.
“full velocity” flama-blanca indeed
Why are the Tigers being mentioned in a Bartolo Colon rumor? This concerns me greatly.