Vic Black has not pitched in a Grapefruit League game in over two weeks. He has thrown on flat ground only twice, and threw his first bullpen session on Saturday morning since being diagnosed with soreness and weakness in his right shoulder.
With time running out before Opening Day, the Mets really needed to get an understanding of where Black stood as he tries to avoid a season-opening stint on the disabled list. Perhaps on Saturday, they got some positive news.
Black threw 20 pitches in his bullpen session, and emerged from it feeling great, he told MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. However, it’s still unclear whether or not he will be ready for the season, which opens a week from tomorrow.
“I am good with what they end up deciding to do,” Black said. “But the joy here is that my arm feels great, which means I can help the team out when the time comes.”
After Saturday’s game against the Nationals, Terry Collins said Black would have to make, “huge strides” in order to avoid the disabled list to open the season.
“I don’t see him facing hitters until Wednesday. So how many innings can you get him in four games?” Collins explained.
Black intends to throw another bullpen session on Monday.
There was some video footage of Black’s bullpen session yesterday during the telecast, and he seemed to either be favoring his shoulder or holding back from letting it all go. I hope it was the latter, and it’s encouraging to learn Black claims to have felt great after the session.
It would be prudent for both the player and the team to proceed cautiously, and not rush and cut corners just to be available for Opening Day. Shoulders are dicey, and they can take a long time to heal. If he needs to go on the disabled list for the first five days of the season so he can continue to condition and prepare in extended spring games in Florida, that would be fine if it meant he could fully recover and be healthy for the long run.
To read my latest roster projection, which includes contingencies to Black, click here.
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