Levine: Poor Sunday Outing Aside, Jason Hammel Confident Heading Into New Season

By Bruce Levine--

MESA, Ariz. (CBS) -- The numbers sometimes lie, and in the case of Cubs right-hander Jason Hammel, they were screaming recalculation on Sunday. Hammel gave up nine runs, all earned, in 4 1/3 innings, getting hit hard on two long bombs to Robinson Cano in a loss to the Mariners.

Still, there were positives to take out of his second-to-last exhibition start.

A botched pop-up and a few missed-called strikes were costly for Hammel, whose stellar spring gives him confidence leading into his first start on April 8 against the Diamondbacks. Before Sunday's outing, Hammel had allowed just two earned runs in 15 innings this spring.

"I was really quicker up top (Sunday)," Hammel said in relation to not getting through the strike zone with his fastball. "I am not going to worry about it too much. Happy Easter, Robbie Cano, I guess. He had one heck of a game. Obviously, execution has to be better down in the zone. Being quick up top was always my mistake before. I was trying to create when I did not need to."

Entering the final season of a two-year $20-million contract that includes a team option for 2017, Hammel worked his tail off six days a week in Chicago last fall and winter. He used all the facilities that the prestigious East Bank Club had to offer in strength training and conditioning. The goal of reporting in his best shape ever was accomplished and looks to have paid off regardless of the Sunday hiccup.

"I got my work in," Hammel said of Sunday's 102-pitch outing. "I will leave it at that. I feel really good. Numbers wise, the line score, yuck. I did get the good work in today. I know I could do better with my sequencing. The home run in the first was my fault. You never throw that guy (Cano) three heaters in a row. I should have shook. That one is on me. Otherwise, there was not the same crispness that I had all spring."

After a strong first half to the 2015 season, Hammel tried to pitch through a sore calf muscle last summer after a July injury. His outings continued to get worse, and manager Joe Maddon's patience dwindled as the season progressed.

Excuses weren't made on either side. Hard work and a short memory should help Hammel going forward.

'That is the game plan," Hammel said when asked if his offseason work has helped him be prepared for a full campaign. "I know I can be that pitcher. I have done it before. I am not going to think about it. Instead, I am going to trust the process. (Sunday) did not work out that well, but those days sometimes happen. My hips and shoulders were not in sync."

Working with second-year pro Kyle Schwarber as his designated catcher will be a work in progress for Hammel, as evidenced by him adhering to Schwarber's call for a third straight fastball to Cano. Still, Hammel's been impressed by Schwarber's enthusiasm and work ethic.

"The connection we have built, I said these things are going to happen," Hammel said of discussing the pitch sequence. "He said, 'You got anything for me?' He's showing maturity beyond his years. My hips and shoulders were not in sync. He will know next time to have a sound bite for me or come out, swat me on the butt and say, 'Let's go.' I felt bad for him because I put him through the ringer today. He has been great. He has been a trooper and has learned a lot. He cares. If that is what happens during the season (designated catcher), then we are in good shape."

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