FORT MYERS, Fla.Left-hander Felix Doubront pitched six scoreless innings (plus one batter in the seventh) of a minor league game Thursday afternoon. He faced 21 batters, giving up two hits with a walk and four strikeouts, Doubront threw 84 pitches, 62 for strikes.
After his outing, Doubront, who is competing for a spot on the roster, and in the rotation, had the look of someone who was very pleased with how his spring went.
I didnt hear nothing about it, but very confident, he said. Im waiting for that talk.
I feel like Im doing a good job. Im waiting for the talk with the staff.
I just have to wait for these days to pass and hopefully stay with the team.
Manager Bobby Valentine was also pleased with Doubronts performance.
Im very happy with Felix Doubronts spring, Valentine said. I think that pitching coach Bob McClure has worked real well with him. The conditioning staff, he came in shape and theyve kept him in shape where hes feeling really good about his body and his conditioning.
And I think his pitches have continued to improve. His changeups a pretty good pitch. I didn't see him today, but his changeups a very good pitch. His curveballs coming along. He got some swing and misses last time he pitched, and his fastball is very good for a lefthander, especially.
Valentine, though, would not divulge any roster decisions yet.
In a perfect world Id love to, Valentine said. But there might be some situations that I need to wait on before I make any declarations.
For Doubront, though, hes satisfied that hes done all he could this spring.
I just want to be in this game for a long time, he said. And I want to look in the future that I did a good job being a baseball pitcher.