CSN Bay Area

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Right-hander Derek Law threw 25 fastballs in his first bullpen session since having Tommy John surgery last June. Law made a strong run at a roster spot last spring, and said he’ll throw six more 25-fastball bullpens before taking the next step in his rehab.

“It was awesome ... it went really, really well,” he said. “I was supposed to be at 50 percent but I think I was like 60 percent. It was coming out good. After the first four or five (pitches) I started to hit my spots a little better. It was kind of like riding a bike.”

Law has been following Hunter Strickland’s rehab path and he hasn’t had any setbacks. He could be back in a minor league game by late June or early July.

STOCK UP: A day after Jean Machi had a clean spring debut, George Kontos pitched a quick top of the ninth, getting a double-play grounder and a strikeout. Kontos has really thrown the ball well since camp started. Manager Bruce Bochy said he was impressed with what he saw from third baseman Mitch Delfino, who went 1 for 2. 

NOTEWORTHY: Hector Sanchez took grounders at first base during BP, as he does every spring and sometimes during the season. It seemed like Sanchez was just having fun in past years, but he actually did get one start at first base last season … Santiago Casilla’s shin contusion is healed; he pitched an inning of relief … Adalberto Mejia, one of the organization’s top prospects, is allowed to pitch in spring games despite a 50-game suspension for sibutramine, a stimulant. Mejia struck out two and hit one batter in an inning of work … Buster Posey provided all the runs in a 9-2 loss to the A's with a double in the third … Casey McGehee was 2 for 2.

ICYMI: Really enjoyed talking to Ray Black about his long road to big league camp. If Black stays healthy, you’ll see him in San Francisco at some point, and it’ll be a pretty fascinating show. If you missed the story this morning, Black’s fastball can get up to the 102-103 mph range. That’s Aroldis Chapman's air. 

SCHEDULE CHANGE: If you’re coming down for the March 12 game at Camelback Ranch, sleep in! The White Sox announced that the game has been moved from 1:05 p.m. to 4:05 p.m. to accommodate a request by MLB. 

LIGHTER SIDE: A day after possum kebabs were supposedly on the lunch menu, players walked into the clubhouse and saw a note offering “the elusive coho salmon.”

As for things that actually happened, Josh Reddick showed up at Scottsdale Stadium and found that a large banner now covers the chain-link fence that he twice climbed to rob Michael Morse of homers in a game last spring. Reddick told A’s reporters that he noticed the change. 

QUOTABLE: Bochy broke into a big smile when asked if Jake Peavy can be a better hitter this year? 

“I don’t know. Jake is athletic and he can handle a bat,” Bochy said, setting up his punch line. “The problem with Jake is he’s blind and he can hardly see.”

When told Peavy is looking into procedures to help his vision, Bochy asked, “Like what? A transplant?"

“There are times he doesn’t recognize me,” Bochy continued. “I don't know what he can do. Cut the bottom off of Coca-Cola bottles and put them in there?"