He arrived in a boot and spent two seasons battling a shoulder injury. But Jake Peavy said Sunday morning he feels better than he ever has in his tenure with the White Sox.
The right-hander -- acquired from the San Diego Padres in July 2009 -- is 6-3 with a 2.74 ERA in 14 starts this season. Peavy said hes excited for Mondays start in Minneapolis, where the White Sox open a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins.
Health is not an issue, Peavy said. It hasnt been this year, knock on wood. I feel blessed and Ive got three more (starts) before the All-Star break then regroup and try to do it for 2 1 2 more months.
Peavy made a season-high 125 pitches in his last start against the Cubs on Tuesday -- the most he had made since he was with the Padres in Pittsburgh on July 27, 2008 (127). But that was right after the 2007 National League Cy Young winner began to experience a myriad of health issues.
He went on the disabled list in May 2008 with a strained right elbow and a season later was limited to 16 starts by a strained tendon in his right ankle for which he wore a protective boot. Peavy then only made 17 starts in 2010, suffering a detached latissimus dorsi muscle in his throwing shoulder that led to season-ending surgery, the aftereffects of which limited him into 2011.
But Peavy, 31, feels as if he is back on track.
I believe I can handle that workload, Peavy said. I know I have been through a lot here in my time in Chicago. But at the same time I feel like health is a nonissue. I know its an issue for anyone who plays the game. But I believe Im just as normal as Gavin Floyd or whoever it may be. I feel as healthy as they are and I look forward to doing all I can to stay that way. You dont ever know. The body is a fragile thing, but I certainly feel as good as I have in years.