Price sharp in first bullpen appearance

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – David Price hadn’t pitched in a game setting in almost two months and hadn’t pitched out of the bullpen during the regular season in seven years.

But you wouldn’t have known it from his outing Sunday.

Price, who was moved to the bullpen last week as the Red Sox activated him from the disabled list, pitched two perfect innings in the Red Sox’ 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay, showing good velocity, a nice mix of his secondary pitches and pinpoint command.

“That,’’ said John Farrell, “was even more than personally anticipated. From the power to the touch-and-feel…I’m amazed that who hadn’t pitched in a game in seven weeks can come out with that kind of command and throw three or four pitches for strikes. He’s a unique pitcher and that was really a strong two innings of work today.

“He threw all four pitches for strikes, (showed) excellent command…impressive.’’
Price needed just seven pitches in his first inning of work, getting a flyout, a strikeout and a groundout. In his second inning, he needed 14 more pitches to post another strikeout, an infield popup and another groundout.

His fastball touched 95 mph at times.

“I put up two zeroes in a one-run game,’’ said Price in evaluating his outing. “It was fun to get back out there.’’

Asked if he was surprised at how well he adapted to the new role, Price responded: “Been doing this for a long time. Not really.’’

Price went down to the bullpen in the fifth, began to get loose in the sixth, played catch in-between innings with left fielder Andrew Benintendi to stretch his arm out, then warmed up throughout the sixth, knowing he would be entering for the seventh.

He pronounced himself satisfied with all four of his pitches – fastball, cutter, curveball and changeup – and happy to be able to contribute as the season enters the final two weeks.

In a somewhat revealing response, Price seemed to indicate that he had been hoping to return to the starting rotation upon his activation from the DL.

“I knew I wanted to start,’’ he said. “I didn’t map it out in my head or anything. But I’ll do whatever.’’

It’s uncertain how much recovery time he’ll need between outings, but for now, the Sox are treating him carefully.

“We’ll check with him,’’ said Farrell. “That’s the first (appearance with) intensity. I would say (he wouldn’t be available again) until the end of the Baltimore series, if not Cincinnati (starting Friday).  We don’t want to rush things with him, but at the same time, that was a strong two innings of work.’’