Bob Apodaca

Aaron isn't afraid of confrontations. He has come so far in the last couple years. Before, he seemed to be read more

Aaron isn't afraid of confrontations. He has come so far in the last couple years. Before, he seemed to be pitching away from contact, trying to miss bats. That guy has vanished. Now, he pitches with the confidence that the batter can't get to it.

He's still very weak. I really don't know when I can get him off a mound, let alone in a read more

He's still very weak. I really don't know when I can get him off a mound, let alone in a game. So the clock is ticking, and it's not going to stop. It's going on nine or 10 days since he's pitched a game. These are all the things you can't make up for. All you can do is, first and foremost, get him healthy.

He's a very good guy, he's a great teammate. He's good in the bullpen with the younger guys and he's read more

He's a very good guy, he's a great teammate. He's good in the bullpen with the younger guys and he's free with his advice and he speaks his mind and sometimes it isn't always a kind remark. To be a true teammate, something needs to be said when it needs to be said. He's the type of person who will do that.

He throws 10 pitches (during the game), and then he's in the conditioning room for an hour and he's just read more

He throws 10 pitches (during the game), and then he's in the conditioning room for an hour and he's just rolling in to the clubhouse when the game is over. He's put in that much work to maintain his body. He doesn't take his body for granted. That's why he's so good. That's why he's had longevity.

Throwing on the side doesn't equate to spring training. There's just not the same intensity. There's nobody with a bat read more

Throwing on the side doesn't equate to spring training. There's just not the same intensity. There's nobody with a bat in his hands telling you that you just made a mistake.