Rays starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi spent the offseason working to strengthen his core and base, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Odorizzi reported to camp at 197 pounds following a 17-pound weight gain.
"It was just eating a lot of food, obviously healthy food, but pretty much as much as I could shovel in," Odorizzi said. "Pretty much every meal I ate was larger than I would have had last year. … There were just a lot of meals, like six or seven a day. I'd eat something every two-three hours.
"My upper body's not that much different, it's almost all from the waist down. Just more strength for pitching, and more stability. … More body control having a sturdier base."
Odorizzi is hoping the added weight will help increase the velocity on his pitches.
"I feel really good, that's the main thing," he said. "Everything feels good coming out, my body feels strong. That's the most I can ask for coming into spring."