bwin Betting

The well-known Koji Uehara confirmed yesterday that he actually expects to start the new season on the disabled list. The Japanese reliever of Orioles left their March 18 game against Toronto Blue Jays with a left hamstring strain and since then has not thrown on the mound. Now, the new season is about to start and he is not ready physically and so just expects to start it on the disabled list.

“If it happens, there’s nothing I can do about it,” Uehara said with the help of interpreter Jiwon Bang. “Obviously, we don’t have many days before Opening Day [on April 6], so you kind of expect it.”

According to manager Dave Trembley, Uehara must be able to show he can throw on the mound by mid-week so he can spare himself from being on the disabled list when he starts the new season.

“I would think Wedneday or Thursday we’d have to find out,” Trembley said. “He’d have to throw a sideline [session] and pitch in a game. He’d have to face some hitters, and I’m not so sure that’s going to happen right now. But I’ll check with him again and see whether it’s going to be viable or not.”

Progression of the 34-year-old baseball player, who will soon be celebrating his birthday, can be considered slow and deliberate. But then he doesn’t mind it at all.

For Uehara, it won’t actually be a big deal whether or not he will start the new season on the disabled list. If he will, it won’t be too disappointing, confirmed by him.

“The more important thing is to be ready physically,” Uehara said.

Uehara might have realized that it won’t help at all to be pessimistic. And that what he needs is to become optimistic to make it through such tough time.