Rockies' Moyer encouraged by latest step in return

By ARNIE STAPLETON

AP Sports Writer

Associated Press Sports

updated 7:23 p.m. ET March 2, 2012

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Jamie Moyer was encouraged by his performance Friday in an intrasquad game for the Colorado Rockies, his first action against hitters since July 2010.

"Today is kind of like my day of saying, `OK, the arm thing, let's let it go,"' said Moyer, trying to make a comeback at age 49 after sitting out all of last season following Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.

"It was a little uncomfortable getting out there, it was a little weird for me. But once I threw a couple of pitches, it was like getting back on the bike again," Moyer said. "And that's what was fun about it. Then, you look around the infield, and you go, all right, a 20-year-old was at third base, the shortstop was in his early 20s. It was fun."

The 24-year veteran gave up one earned run and three hits in two innings. He struck out one and didn't walk a batter. His second inning was crisper than his first.

Afterward, Moyer said he was thrilled with his short outing even though it didn't include any of his trademark cut fastballs, which he said he's not strong enough to throw yet.

"I'm pleased with today. I'm not excited about it, but I'm pleased, and it's forward progress and that's what I need to ask of myself," he said.

Moyer threw 42 pitches, 27 for strikes, and said he wasn't worried about the workload.

"I felt like I could have kept going," he said. "I threw probably 50-60 pitches in my bullpen the other day, which was good. I just feel like, you know what, if I'm going to be here, I'm going to push myself and it's going to take me where it's going to take me.

"If I gently try to get myself through and act like I'm hurt, I don't think I'm going to give myself a good enough opportunity. I'm here, I'm going to have fun with it and enjoy it."

Moyer's last action against live hitting was on July 20, 2010, at St. Louis when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies. He left after one inning that day with a left elbow strain, which was later diagnosed as a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

He underwent Tommy John elbow-tendon replacement surgery and served as an ESPN analyst last season. He signed a minor league deal with the Rockies with a shot to make their roster this spring.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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