During the nearly three months he physically was away from his staff, Cardinals pitching coach Mike Maddux kept in touch via email, among other avenues. Maddux suggested that if anybody wanted to try something new, such as a different grip on a pitch, then was the time to work on it.
Star-crossed reliever Brett Cecil admitted Tuesday night he took it farther than Maddux might have suggested. About a week-and-half to go before the team reassembled, Cecil began experimenting with a more sidearm delivery he had employed while warming up in college at Maryland. Mixing overhand with sidearm as he “messed around” playing catch with Jupiter, Fla.