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Levine: Jon Lester Not Running From Issues On Pick-Offs, Throwing To Bases

By Bruce Levine--

MESA, Ariz. (CBS) -- A new season for Cubs left-hander Jon Lester brings its own set of challenges.

A year ago, he had a forearm strain early March, and that was a big hurdle to his early season performance as he worked his way back into form through periods of dead arm. Back then, Lester worked to build arm strength and confidence in a new league while living up to a $155-million contract and the pressure of his first season in Chicago.

Now, the serious Lester is resolute on ditching the demons he has in throwing to bases. He threw five innings against minor leaguers Tuesday, and part of the drill was working on his infamous pick-off moves and throwing to the bases on groundballs.

Baseball scouts have an unfavorable term that they use to describe players who fail to make the common throw -- "the thing," which is in other sports is known as "the yips." In the case of Lester -- who has had a tremendous career despite his inability to consistently hold runners on base and who struggles to throw to bases -- more work is needed.

Tuesday was an up-and-down day for Lester, who picked off Dan Vogelbach, threw two pick-offs away and made three throws for outs at the bases. He definitely wasn't afraid to make a mistake.

"We have been working on not letting runners get a walking lead," Lester said. "Vogelbach tried to get a walking lead today. I don't think he was going anywhere. For me to be aware, step off and get a pick off an easy out was huge for me. I saw last year, plenty of guys did that (to me), and we need to minimize that."

Lester will pitch in a regular Cactus League game again on March 20 against Kansas City at Sloan Park in Mesa. He will attempt to continue his work at holding runners and getting over some confidence issues about throwing a ball anywhere but home plate.

"I don't back away, if you (media members) have figured me out yet," Lester said. "I am a no-BS guy. I will tell you if I have a bad start or if I threw the ball better than the results were. I hope you see and hear that I always try to be honest. This (throwing to bases issue) is something I cannot run from. This is not something you can hide and run from it. I cannot run from this. It is out there, and everybody knows it. This is something I am continuing trying to tackle every day and get better at. That is all I can do. Hopefully my teammates can believe I am putting in the work in every day to get better."

Lester was 11-12 with a 3.34 ERA last season, marks below the standard he holds himself to. In six of the previous seven years, he'd won 15 or more. Still, his 3.34 ERA was below his lifetime mark of 3.55.

The Cubs will most likely schedule Lester to start April 5 against the Angels in the second game of the regular season.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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