De La Rosa to continue on pitch limit for a month

PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Boston's front office has employed a careful approach for pitching prospect Rubby De La Rosa, who was acquired by the club in last summer's blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the right-hander says he'll be off his established program in "about a month."

The program sets his limit at 50 pitches, which has translated to 2 1/3 innings for the 24-year-old in each of his two starts with the PawSox. De La Rosa, however, believes he can go deeper into his outings.

“I feel I can go longer," said De La Rosa, who currently sits fifth in the SoxProspects.com rankings. "But I have to do whatever the bosses say.”

“I think his performance and how he feels coming in will dictate it," said PawSox manager Gary DiSarcina on the possibility of stretching De La Rosa out a bit more.

“The bottom line is to get him ready for the big leagues. It’s not to win games down here and stretch him out down passed where when he can physically capable of going. He’s like all the rest; just have to be careful with him, keep him healthy, [and] keep him strong.”

In his two starts, De La Rosa has allowed six runs on five hits, including three home runs, while walking three and striking out six over 4 2/3 innings.

On the surface, it appears the former Dodger is struggling, but he feels optimistic about how things have progressed in first Triple-A go-around.

"I feel positive," said De La Rosa. "Everything is working, [and] I feel good throwing. In every situation, I feel comfortable.”

“I feel 100 percent comfortable with everything: my mechanics, everything is compact, my delivery, [and] my separation. Everything is coming along well, and I’m healthy.”

Photo Credit: Rubby De La Rosa by Kelly O'Connor
 
Kevin Pereira is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @kevinrpereira.

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