Worrell Back In Vintage Form
Todd Worrell is back, armed with a new pitching coach, a new pitch and a new outlook on a career that appeared to be on the skids.
The 11-year veteran reliever is completely healthy for the first time since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in 1993. “It’s easy when things are clicking for you,” he said. “I feel real comfortable out on the mound. I’ve got a lot of confidence in my location, as well as throwing my off-speed pitches. And a lot of that adds up to pitching well, pitching confidently and overpowering the hitters.”
It shows. He has 19 strikeouts in 19 innings of work, has yet to allow an earned run and has converted all seven save opportunities.
That’s vintage Worrell, much like the work he did from 1986 through August 1989 with the St. Louis Cardinals, when he became the first pitcher in history with at least 30 saves in each of his first three big-league seasons. He pitched in an All-Star Game and two World Series, and was the fourth reliever in National League history to be chosen Rookie of the Year.
A series of injuries derailed his career temporarily, but he seems back on track now.
“A number of things have come together for Todd,” Dodgers general manager Fred Claire said. “He’s had good health and he’s had an opportunity to pitch in the right role. So, I think those things have kind of come together to help give Todd the start he’s had. He worked hard in the off-season and it’s good to see him having this success. He’s certainly done the job every time he’s stepped out there for us.”
Worrell decided to junk his slider, going strictly with his bread-and-butter fastball and an overhand curveball he refined in spring training with first-year Dodgers pitching coach Dave Wallace.
Worrell, 35, struggled last season with an N.L.-leading eight blown saves, five losses and a 4.29 ERA.
The former Cardinal has been an easy target of the boo birds.
“I don’t try to pitch resentfully or to prove someone wrong,” he said. “I don’t think that works for you because I don’t think you can get the best out of your performance. But I’m motivated when I’m pitching.”