Red Sox Take Live Batting Practice
FORT MYERS, Fla. (CBS) -- After several days of warm ups and stretching, Sunday it was time for live batting practice at the Red Sox' minor league training facility in Fort Myers, Fla.
"There's nothing to complain about. It's 80 degrees and beautiful and everyone looked healthy," said manager Terry Francona.
Relief pitcher Scott Atchinson told reporters that he knows there are "a lot of good arms" coming into spring training this year, but he can't worry about everyone else, he just needs to focus on himself.
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"Going to keep doing what I know -- throw strikes," he said.
Catcher Jason Varitek said he's happy to take pitches, as this is the healthiest he's felt in many years entering spring training.
He went on to say that he's not just "kind of excited" he's very excited.
But having Jarrod Saltalamacchia compared to him, Varitek said that's not fair.
WBZ-TV's Dan Roche reports from Fort Myers
"Salty is going to be Salty, and hopefully that's not what he's living with is living with that or not living with that (being compared to Varitek). He's his own person and going to be his own player. He's extremely talented, not sure had those abilities when I was young and did those things," said the elder catcher.
As for Saltalamacchia, he says he's working on everything defensively -- blocking, throwing, receiving. As for offense, he says he's not going to put much pressure on himself.
"I will worry about what I can do and what I can control," he said. "I will show up every day and give it my best."
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