Koji Uehara made his second start in Bowie this morning. The Japanese reliever threw only 15 pitches, 11 for strikes in his outing on Tuesday and even less (13 pitches, 8 for strikes) today against the Erie SeaWolves and Prince George’s Stadium.
I had a chance to speak with Uehara after his outing today about his injuries since arriving in Baltimore, his thoughts on the Major League Baseball’s farm system and the pressure he faced with his coaches watching closely today.
You’ve got to wonder with only 28 pitches thrown in two minor league starts, how ready is Uehara to return to Baltimore. Today he walked a batter and recorded two ground ball outs.
“I could have thrown more, but what could I do,” Koji said.
Typically, the Orioles like their major leaguers to rehab as close to Baltimore as possible and after today, the Baysox join the Keys and Tides on the road. Could Koji join the Orioles this weekend when Boston comes to town?
When asked about his experience pitching in the minor leagues Koji laughed and told me “it’s different.” Surely he is eager to rejoin the Orioles and return to major league ball parks and clubhouses. He explained that he did not spend much time in the minor leagues when pitching in Japan so this experience is new to the 35 year old reliever.
Koji was confident in his answers pertaining to his health. He explained that he has been working out to get back to 100 percent and feels comfortable on the mound. I asked him about finding consistency in staying healthy and he told me he just has to keep doing what he’s doing.
If you recall, last season Koji appeared to be exhausted in the 3rd or 4th innings, so a short relief role may be just what the doctor ordered.
We’ll have the full video interview with Koji Uehara momentarily.
was this a group interview im assuming? read the same type of stuff on a few other blogs. but awesome that you got to take part!
the short answers are probably because, just like in all sports, he is told what to say to some things. he is told how to respond when people ask when hes coming up, and as for other questions he is just told not to say too much.
thats why i love minor leaguers and when i get to talk to major leaguers on a more casual setting, like at a game. for instance, your britton interview was awesome because the kid could say what he wanted, so he could give full answers. just like at os games when guys like albers, alan dunn, guthrie, and jones talk to me from just seeing me and talking a lot, i can ask them things and they can give me a legit answer, not the crap the team feeds them.
I was with the guys from the Sun, Orioles Hangout and Steve Melewski.
Koji has always been short with his answers. I don't think they're telling a Japanese player what he can and can't say. It's probably more his personality.
I suppose we'll see more when the interview is published.
Nice work, Z-man!
The experience with the American and Japanese writers was fun. The Japanese writers had a separate interview with Koji, but their thoughts were exactly the same. His answers are very brief with both media groups.
I'm calling out all the real Os fans. You know, Joe from Essex, Frank from Highlandtown, Bob from Dundalk. I know our Os suck right now, but they are still our Os. Time to take back the yards from all Sux and yankers fans. Stay home you sweet drink swilling yuppies too. take me back to the good old days when my cuz Wild Bill brought his beer cooler and standard dress was cut off shorts, some ratty old Os Tshirt,, youknow not the ones with the preppie collars turned up and your Os cap-Hon. Bring out that old popcorn holder megaphone and stand up and shout out at the top of your lungs when Trmbles makes another bone head move. And if some newbie yuppie gives you a dirty look for hollering for your Birds, tell him to take a hike or toss him from the upper deck, cuz that's where the real fans are!! It's time to emulate that old scene from network, I want you to GET UP and GO TO THE WINDOW and OPEN IT and STICK YOUR HEAD OUT and SHOUT AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS—— I'm MAD AS H@!! and I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE !!!!
Wink – we need more of you here. Old School Orioles fans. These young'ens don't remember the glory days or the Mayflowers pulling away from Owings Mills, the Bullets moving to God Foresaken DC. Yeah, they've seen pictures and heard old guys like us tell them the stories (when we tell em it's like Charlie Brown's teacher talking), but understand our paranoia my brothers…We've seen it not once, but twice. Protesting with your feet just gives the owner an excuse to move the team. Appreciate what you have, no matter how miserable it gets, it's better than seeing your team play in another city.
Going back tomorrow night, taking whole family , sitting in the upper deck and WILL be hoarse Saturday! Got a few things to get off my chest and you are right STG, much more effective protest than empty seats.
Me and Ol' Bruz going Tuesday the 11th versus Seatlle. Too old to fight the hooligan Yankee and Red Sox fans. Some day we'll win again and take the park back. Still waiting on the BSR night at the park, Sadler, Zach, Pilson? You guys are slacking.
Man Wink I could use a guy like you here on BSR. I've been echoing your words for weeks my friend!
Aren't slacking. We're going June 25th!