Closer Troy Percival, recovering from back surgery, said there were "no problems" following his Thursday debut and he "feels fine" going into today's second outing.
Closer Troy Percival, recovering from back surgery, said there were "no problems" following his Thursday debut and he "feels fine" going into today's second outing.
Is he "in the best shape of his life" and "learning a new pitch" too?
RHP Troy Percival has come in for the fifth, his second spring outing of the season following offseason back surgery.
Percival worked a quick hitting, striking out Bixler swinging, getting Cruz to pop out.
The veteran closer has looked pretty sharp so far this spring - two quick innings, using both his fastball and offspeed stuff.
According to the St. Petersburg Times, "it appears more and more likely" that Troy Percival (back) will be the Rays' closer on Opening Day.
Percival has thrown a scoreless inning in each of his three spring appearances. "As of right now he's showing that he can or could be," manager Joe Maddon said. "He really has been sharp. Right now he is, for me, ahead of where I thought he'd be at this particular juncture."
He definitely still has it but just don't know how long it will last. The Rays have definitely built a good pen in case Percy does go down.
Not sure yet if the Rays have room for him or not. That bullpen was awfully packed before they even signed him.
They sure do.
Troy Percival, who has been perfect in this first three appearances, is in. He got Brett Gardner on a grounder to short but just hit Melky Cabrera.
Percival finished the scoreless inning with the hit batter the only blemish.
Troy Percival just ripped through another impressive inning. It's 2-1 Rays going to the bottom of the fifth.
RHP Troy Percival has entered the game in the seventh, making it the first time this spring he's pitched in back-to-back games.
Percival gave up two walks and a two-run triple to Will Rhymes, the first hit and runs he's given up all spring.