MESA, Ariz. — A’s right-hander Jharel Cotton seems to be a new pitcher. Even his teammates notice it.
Cotton has been trying to work at a faster pace during his starts this spring, getting the ball back from the catcher and wasting no time by getting back on the mound and ready to throw. It’s worked for a majority of his starts, and it worked in Monday’s 6-5 loss to the Giants.
“Last year I would step off, grab the dirt, look around, and see who is in the stands,” Cotton said. “Right now I’m just getting the ball back and just going.