CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The action was simulated, but the importance for Jake Arrieta to do well on Saturday was real.
Wearing his new, bright red Phillies uniform, Arrieta threw two innings and approximately 30 pitches in a simulated game as he prepares for the regular season. The right-hander signed a three-year, $75 million deal on Monday.
"I'm still getting to know these guys a lot, but physically I feel really good about where I'm at," Arrieta said, adding he would need to speak to pitching coach Rick Kranitz about the next step going forward.