Steven Wright. (Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Steven Wright was a 13-game winner and an All-Star in 2016, but last year, the knuckballer got lit up over five starts to the tune of an 8-25 ERA before undergoing season-ending surgery on his left knee to address cartilage damage last May.
Wright won't be ready in time for the regular season, but he's still working his way back and pitched two innings of live batting practice Wednesday--the first time he's thrown to hitters since the operation.
So, what's his main objective?
"I wasn't really worried about how good the knuckleball's gonna be dancing," he said. "I was more worried about just getting some hitters and trying to throw with a little more intensity than I have in the past, 'cause it was the first time I faced hitters in about a year."
And how's his knuckleball at this point?
"For me, it's easy to throw for strikes," Wright said. "It's a matter of getting it to move and dance, but today, I wasn't really concentrating on that, I was more concentrating on mechanics, just trying to get to the point where I can trust my knee to withstand throwing with a little more effort."
In parts of five seasons with Boston, Wright's 21-and-14 with a 3-97 ERA spanning 55 appearances--40 starts.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports