In all the time I’ve known Jim Riggleman — about six months, of which the past week is the only time I’ve talked with him regularly — he’s been straight-forward and honest.
But when Riggleman told reporters today his assment of Erik Bedard’s apparent self-imposed 100-pitch limit, it raised more than one eyebrow.
In essence, Riggleman said he believes Bedard isn’t fully healthy and that everyone should applaud him for going as deep into games as he has, rather than criticize him for wimping out when his team needs more from a supposed ace starter.
“Eric is not going to make excuses, but I don’t think he really, totally feels right,” Riggleman said. “I might be wrong, but I don’t think he’s coming out of a game saying, ‘I don’t want to pitch anymore.’ I think he’s giving us everything he can give us, knowing his body and knowing what’s going on with his hip and his back. Maybe we should appreciate what we’ve got to this point.”
Maybe.
All I know is that this is what the Mariners traded for, and they’d better have a fresh bullpen every time Bedard pitches.
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