The ball was hit to first base so I took a step over there. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the bat. I just kind of moved and got hit right on...

You do what you can, being the fifth guy.

I’m still working to feel totally comfortable with it. But it’s definitely better than what I was throwing before.

Coming off what happened, it was a start I wanted to get under my belt, … And in the first inning, I was just trying too hard. These are big games.

That’s the manager’s choice, whatever he wants to do. I would love to start, but we’ll just have to see what happens.

It’s just the way it happened. You just do what you can being the fifth guy.

It?s tough, but you have to look to next year because there?s nothing else right now, it?s over right now. Coming in after signing over here, guys putting faith and trust in you, you work...

[That was evident in how sharp he was in his first start since April 23. He threw only 79 pitches, allowing just four hits and two runs. Most importantly for all parties, he pronounced himself...

Every guy relishes this, especially in this room, where Derek Jeter has four World Series [rings]. A lot of us are trying to catch up.

You’re going to think about it. Once you’re out there, you’ve got to play the game. Everything is in the past after that.

Three times now, what can you do? It got me square in the chest. It’s sore and tight. It feels like the other ones, I guess.

It’s just happening so fast, and you’re just kind of riding it, … It’s not something you think about, because you don’t really know any different. You just think that’s the way it’s supposed to...

I think we expected it to be a little tighter today than it was last night. That’s usually what happens, stuff tightens up overnight. But that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.

I don’t look at it like a bad situation. I look at it as, this is my job; this is what I’m asked to do. Somebody’s got to be in that position. I’ve got no...

When I first started throwing, I was really screwed up, mechanically, … Trying to come back from being hurt, losing my arm slot, basically everything felt weird to throw. I worked with Billy, and he...

He’s been here for so long, it’s definitely going to have an effect, … I thought he did a great job. I’ve played long enough where these things do happen, so you have to be...

I’ve never seen that drill before. Maybe if that didn’t happen, who knows if we would have had it or not. As long as it’s not the hard baseballs they’re firing at you.

It hurts right now, … My neck’s real stiff and I have a headache. But it could have been worse.

After that, we got better movement and just backed off a little bit.

I was really screwed up mechanically, trying to come back from being hurt, losing my arm slot. It felt weird to throw. I worked with Billy, and he really helped me get back in sync....

I don’t look at anything as `Why me?’ or anything like that, … It’s definitely odd but it happens. What are you going to do about it? You’ve got to deal with it.

Mentally, that’s my goal always.

I was trying too hard, … After that, I got better movement and backed off a little.

I don’t think it’s a big deal. I’m sure I’ll get in a few games. I’d love to start, but we’ll just wait and see how it plays out.

He helped me out a lot, and he’s done that for a lot of years with a lot of guys,

When I first started throwing [after returning from his torn scar tissue in his shoulder], I really screwed up my mechanics and my arm slot. I worked with Billy and he helped me get back...

It’s a pitcher’s worst nightmare, … To throw a ball and the next thing you know, it’s right on you.

To come back shows a lot of heart.

I’m always going to think about it. You just look for signs.

I don’t look at anything as ‘Why me?’ or anything like that. It’s definitely odd but it happens. What are you going to do about it? You’ve got to deal with it.

To go down like that hit by a baseball going 100 mph and to be out there playing catch, I’m very fortunate, … As long as there is no pain I should be fine.

When you get hit like that, the only thing you see is the ball right in front of your chin,

You just hope he’s able to handle it all. It can be tough to live up to the expectations.

I didn’t see that side, … I thought the work that I got in down there with the guys and the training staff was plenty, and the attention that you get was great. We would...

A bat, two balls I don’t know, … When it keeps happening, it’s definitely frustrating.

Your confidence is so high, … There’s never been a valley.

I’m definitely looking forward to it, … It’s been a long time down here. After everything that happened as far as thinking that it could be over for me when I hurt it and how...

I don’t see any reason why I wouldn’t be ready. I don’t think about [the back injury]. The bullpen today, everything went well.

It’s what I expected after getting hit in the neck with a ball. It’s sore. It’s stiff. … If there’s any way to make my next start, I’ll make it.

It’s sore and tight, … I think I expected it to feel worse the next day, and it did this morning. We treated it all day today, so we’ll see how it feels tomorrow.

It’s nice being back here in uniform, … I haven’t been here as a player for three or four years because of the timing of injuries and other things, but it’s always pretty cool going...

It’s a pitcher’s worst nightmare; to throw a ball and the next thing you know, it’s right on you, … I could have gotten hit in the face, so hopefully this will be all right.

I’ve never tried to worry about where I fit in or where my spot is. When it comes down to it, you have to do what you have to do anyway. You have to pitch...