BRADENTON, Fla. -- Endy Rodríguez set his target low, challenging Johan Oviedo after the right-hander had been less than perfect in his previous delivery. That’s what these backfield sessions on the mounds of Pirate City are for, though -- to kick off rust.
It’s been a while since Oviedo was on a mound surrounded by teammates. He threw a couple of live batting practices this offseason, but Thursday was the first time he’s been on these backfields for a Spring Training since he underwent Tommy John surgery in December 2023, and his coaches, teammates and front office eyes were all watching.
“There were a lot of people around,” Oviedo said. “I’m a guy that likes the challenge. I don’t do well when I don’t have pressure on me. So being around a lot of guys, knowing we have to help each other but also compete is a big factor to bring the best out of myself.”
Rodríguez set his target low again, and Oviedo dropped in a slider. Rodríguez didn’t need to move the glove and shouted out his approval to his pitcher: “Money!”
“He was trying to hit a spot and it was a really good one,” Rodríguez said afterward. “The depth and velo, everything was perfect.”
That’s the Oviedo the Pirates sorely missed in 2024. He was solid in 2023, when he recorded a 4.31 ERA over 32 starts and 177 2/3 innings and got better results as the season progressed. Oviedo looked to be part of the team’s rotation plans for years to come, but that elbow surgery left the Pirates without their 2023 No. 2 starter last season.
Oviedo's bullpen session Thursday was a first step back toward him competing for a spot in a new-look Pirates rotation, one that is far deeper than what he left in 2023. Mitch Keller is still here, as is Bailey Falter -- now a full-fledged starter. But the youth movement has hit the Pirates rotation, headed by Paul Skenes and Jared Jones.
Derek Shelton wants to see Oviedo check boxes in Spring Training before saying for certain whether Oviedo is in the rotation or is in competition for a spot. Thursday was step one, but Ovideo needs to do live batting practices in camp, pitch in Grapefruit League games and cross the bridges every rehabbing player crosses.
There is certainly opportunity after the Pirates traded Luis Ortiz for Spencer Horwitz this offseason, and that first bullpen was a good start.
“I've seen him on video, throw, but to see him off the mound live, he looks strong,” Shelton said. “We know this is a really big body and a guy that has an ability to log innings. This year, we're gonna have to be thoughtful with what those innings are and how they are.”
This isn’t exactly the same Oviedo that we saw in 2023 either. He’s spent more time in the gym than he ever has before, shedding some baby fat and gaining muscle. He also took a dive into his mechanics. The lower half of his body was always ahead of his upper body in the past. Now he’s trying to be more patient and make sure his upper and lower half mechanics line up.
“I definitely got the feel for the baseball,” Oviedo said. “Hopefully, the more I pitch the better feel I’ll have. The most focus was on my mechanics, being consistent with my release point and try not to be so quick to the plate and more efficient with my mechanics. It was the main goal this offseason. Today in the bullpen, that’s what we did. So I was glad all the work we put in in the offseason showed off today.”
Patience is a virtue, and it's something Oviedo has had to learn these past 14 months while building back to this opportunity. He could be one of the best pitchers on a very talented staff this year, but he’s got to first show that he is fully healthy and can stay that way.
“It’s hard to hold myself down and prevent [myself] from going 100%, but it’s something I learned,” Oviedo said. “This is a long process. I work a lot on my mental part of the game. I learned how to control the feelings… how to be calm and be patient with everything. It’s a long process, taking more than 14 months off. I try to follow all the steps they put into it and trust in what we do. So I’m really looking forward to the results.”