A’s add second bullpen catcher Jeremy Dowdy
A’s add second bullpen catcher Jeremy Dowdy
The team has added a second bullpen catcher Friday, along with incumbent Phil Pohl, because the workload is so heavy that most teams now use two extra catchers.
In the A’s case, with Pohl being among the regular batting-practice pitchers, the need was even more obvious.
Whenever Pohl or the A’s second catcher wasn’t available, bullpen coach Scott Emerson had to catch side sessions or warm up relievers.
[...] Oakland brought former White Sox minor-leaguer Jeremy Dowdy, 26, on board to start the regular season.
With the amount of pregame stuff we have going on, it really makes a big difference.
Dowdy, who is from North Carolina and played at Appalachian State, was a minor-league teammate of Marcus Semien and Chris Bassitt.
“Adding another bullpen catcher was something the staff really felt would make a difference with our preparation as well as the obvious advantage of keeping the second catcher off his feet,” general manager David Forst said.
Right-hander Sonny Gray, coming back from a lat strain, threw a 35-pitch bullpen session and Mark Canha got an up-close look.
Melvin said Gray next will throw another bullpen session next, or will throw one with a simulated inning break — or will throw to hitters.
Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.
The A’s road schedule will cover 51,146 miles, the most in the majors, topping the Angels (47,828) and Seattle (46,547).
The AL West teams are always the leaders each year; interleague play usually determines which travels the most.