Schlereth
Daniel Schlereth knows he has plenty to prove, like showing he is healthy and ready to get back on the mound.
The Arizona Diamondbacks certainly hope their first-round pick in the MLB draft is prepared after the former University of Arizona reliever missed the Wildcats’ super- regional against Miami two weeks ago.
Schlereth, drafted 26th overall, said he strained a high triceps muscle during practice before the start of the super-regional June 13, but could sign with the Diamondbacks within the next week.
“I’m back,” he said Monday. “Everything’s fine. The Diamondbacks know what it is. It has not scared them away. It bothered them a little bit when they saw on TV that I was icing my elbow, but that was not the problem.
“We are in negotiations. It’s going well. They came up with an offer and all we are looking for is a fair deal, and I’m sure we will get it done.”
Schlereth, third on the UA all-time career save list with 16, was originally thought to have a strained oblique muscle, according to UA coach Andy Lopez.
Schlereth, a left-hander, said it was more of a minor triceps injury that started three days before the first game against Miami.
“I knew I pulled something,” he said. “I felt I would just throw through it, but couldn’t. I felt it would go away, but when I started to warm up in the bullpen (during the first day) I just couldn’t throw with it.
“I could lob the ball in there, but that was not going to do us any good. It was terrible not being able to throw. It was horrible. I felt really bad. I felt terrible for the team that I couldn’t go out there and try to help.”
Schlereth was 2-0 with one save on the season, while finishing with a 1.81 ERA. He struck out 76 in 54 1/2 innings, while allowing just four hits to left-handed hitters all season.
Schlereth, a junior, says he has been primarily running and swimming since his season ended, letting his arm rest.
The 26th overall pick in 2007, Justin Simmons, a right-handed pitcher picked by Oakland, got a $1.19 million signing bonus a year ago.