CHICAGO -- The final statistics aren't going to stand near where Jake Petricka wants when the 2017 season comes to a close, especially for a successful reliever who saved 14 games in 2014 and has three seasons with an ERA below 3.65.
Injuries over the past year and a half threw off Petricka's mechanics a bit, leading to a current 7.61 ERA in 23 games. But over the past week or so, Petricka feels as if he's taken big steps to get back on track for 2018 through work with pitching coach Don Cooper and bullpen coach Curt Hasler.
"We noticed I was falling a little bit off to the first-base side," Petricka said. "Nothing crazy, but it was enough that I wasn't staying through pitches and I wasn't getting the life I normally get. The velo was there if not better, but the life isn't and that's something you can't recreate.
"They can hit velo. Life is another story. It's same as movement, but just sharper. Who knows? Maybe with the change, the velo will be lower but they won't be hitting it because of the life. It's good to know I'm back to where I need to be and let's do it consistently now."
Petricka threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings in a loss to Detroit on Saturday and allowed Ian Kinsler's solo home run during one inning of work in Sunday's 7-1 victory. But he feels good about the mechanics' change implementation and is not thinking about what already has happened.
"I know it's not me. So let's get back to being me and move forward," Petricka said. "No one enjoys getting hit, especially when I've had some success up here and knowing something is not right.
"Physically, I was healthy, everything was great. But something just wasn't right and we think we figured it out and just now make that the norm again."
Delmonico going day by day
Nicky Delmonico made a trip to the disabled list Saturday for a sprained right wrist, but it was more precautionary than anything else. Delmonico felt discomfort during a swing in his third at-bat against the Twins on Thursday and then was scratched from the starting lineup Friday.
"I've never felt anything like this," Delmonico said. "It kind of scared me, but luckily the MRI and the X-ray turned out good.
"It feels good. It feels a lot better than the last two days."
Delmonico has reached base in 21 of his 22 Major League games. He is hitting .307 with a 1.002 OPS.
"Nothing I can do but try to treat it as much as I can and get ready to get back out there," said Delmonico, sporting a large ice wrap on his wrist.