Valdes Puts on Optimistic Face
VERO BEACH, Fla. — These haven’t been the best of times for right-hander Ismael Valdes, though Valdes isn’t showing his pain.
His younger brother was recently killed in an car accident in Mexico. He’s coming off the least-productive season of his career, going 10-11 despite a 2.65 earned-run average, and his name has been mentioned as part of a package to acquire Seattle Mariner left-hander Randy Johnson.
Valdes reported to Dodgertown on Thursday for the first day of full-squad workouts, speaking about his past, present and future.
“I feel ready for the season,” said Valdes, who won 28 games in his first two full seasons. “I didn’t throw a lot during the off-season, but I did my workout. I’m stronger mentally and physically, and I feel good about it.”
Pitchers and catchers reported to Dodgertown on Feb. 14, but Valdes was granted permission to report late because of his brother’s death. He declined to discuss specifics of the accident, saying his pain was still too great.
Valdes, though, did comment on his difficulties last season.
Among the criticisms of Valdes is that his focus wanes when he encounters trouble. Acknowledging the problem, Valdes said he worked on increasing his concentration through focusing during workouts.
“I learned a lot of good things from last year,” said Valdes, who had the National League’s fourth-best ERA. “Physically and mentally, I have to be ready and focused for whatever can happen in a game.
“But what happened last year is in the past. I’m now dealing in the present, I’m dealing with what’s going to happen this year.”
Although he started late, Valdes believes he has more than enough time to catch up to his fellow pitchers. And Valdes realizes he still could be traded for Johnson, but he won’t let the situation affect his preparation.
“I’m ready for anything that happens,” Valdes said, “that’s what I’ve been working for.”
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Manager Bill Russell conducted his first meeting with the entire team before workouts, addressing the group about his expectations.
“We haven’t accomplished what we’ve wanted to for the last 10 seasons since [winning] the [1988 World] Series,” Russell said. “They all understand what happened last season, and they know what they have to do. We have to get to that next level this season.”
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Outfielder Todd Hollandsworth testified at his arbitration hearing in Phoenix and is expected to report today. . . . The Dodgers signed second baseman Adam Riggs to a one-year contract, reducing the number of unsigned players in camp to seven.
