Hammel working on slider, building up arm strength

SURPIRSE, Ariz. -- Friday's 11-7 loss to the A's marked a first for Royals pitcher Jason Hammel.
"That was the first Spring Training night game I've ever pitched in," Hammel said. "I liked it."
Hammel threw 2 2/3 innings in his second Cactus League start, giving up two runs on three hits. He threw 48 pitches.
"I definitely worked on the slider more," Hammel said. "Not overly pleased, but not disappointed, either.
"My fastball the last time out was pretty good and my breaking stuff wasn't. Tonight, it kind of flipped."
Hammel threw one changeup -- Oakland's Matt Olson deposited it over the right-field fence and out of Surprise Stadium.

"Strong kid," Hammel said. "I don't know what they're feeding these young guys, but I've got to get some of it."
At this stage of camp, Hammel simply is building up his arm strength.
"Overall, I felt great, throwing 50 pitches, plus the warmup," Hammel said. "That was a nice workload."
Hammel then added with a smile, "I do feel like I threw more strikes than I got credit for."