Mariners pitcher Danny Farquhar has earned a reputation as a slow starter in spring training, MLB.com reports. He struggled in his first two outings this spring as well before tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts Tuesday.
"I've come to understand he's a slow starter and he does struggle in the spring," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "I told him the other day he should just go home and help the grounds crew and just stay there until the season starts, because my life would be a lot happier down here."
Farquhar is using the spring to work on his pitches and prepare for a long season.
"If you're trying to make a team or make an impression and you're not even on the 40-man roster, you've got to come out of the gate throwing 95 (mph)," Farquhar said. "You have to really show them you've got something. If not, you just kind of go back into the mix. Whereas I've pitched a year and a half in the big leagues, so Lloyd knows what I can do. So I guess it's a little easier track for me, but I still have to go out there and show Lloyd I can get major-league hitters out. I can't just roll out there and make the team."
Farquhar has surrendered two earned runs in 2 2/3 innings this spring.