GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson, in discussing why he believes Sonny Gray could again be a top-of-the-rotation piece, cited that the righty’s “breaking ball is still a weapon.”
The follow-up: Which “breaking ball?”
“His curveball,” Johnson said. “We have to clarify that, don’t we?”
Earlier this month, Gray criticized what he said was the Yankees’ insistence to throw more sliders, when in his mind that was not a good pitch for him. The Yankees disagreed with the characterization. Gray felt his words were taken out of context and, when approached by a reporter Monday to talk, said he would think about it, but never returned.