Braves pitcher Arodys Vizcaino met with the media at Chop Fest on Jan. 19 at SunTrust Park. In the interview, he discussed the status of his shoulder and his goals for the coming season. The interview was edited for brevity.
Q: So the last time we saw you, you were healthy enough to throw in the postseason, and you’ve been throwing here this winter. Do you have a feeling that your shoulder is much better than it was last year?
A: I've thrown a couple times, and it feels good. I'll see how it feels, and I'll see how I can do in spring training.
Q: Did they have to check it out, an MRI or anything to make sure everything was good?
A: Yeah, I did one before I went to the Dominican (Republic) … and everything feels perfect.
Q: What do you think went wrong last year, I mean why did it start bothering you so much? Do you think there was a lot of usage early in the season that impacted that?
A: I don't know. … Hopefully this year it feels way better.
Q: When you look at that bullpen as it is constructed right now, do you think they need to make any additions?
A: I think we have a very good young bullpen, I'm still young. We have a lot of young guys in there, and Darren O'Day who is a veteran. So I feel we have a pretty good group for this year.
Q: Is it your goal to be re-establish yourself as the closer? Is that what you want, to get back to that full-time role?
A: Yeah, that's what I want. I want to be a closer for the team.
Q: Do you think hearing about the Braves being interested in other closers kind of gives you fire to go back and reclaim that spot as yours?
A: No, I don't think that. I just want to pitch. I just want to be in the game, no matter if it's in the ninth inning, eighth or seventh, I just want to pitch.
Q: Does it still feel like you are young? Because you have been through a lot, trades and injuries.
A: Yeah, I'm still young, I'm 28.
Q: Which of the young guys, especially down the stretch and in the playoffs, impressed you with the Braves?
A: Touki (Toussaint). He's very good, impressed me a lot.
Q: Do you think he could be good in either role, starter or reliever?
A: Yeah, I think he's a very good starter. But when we comes out of the bullpen, he's very good, too.
