Schmidt Under the Radar
Jason Schmidt’s second bullpen session of the Spring Monday not only went without a problem, it went without a reporter’s question. A year ago, coming off his first shoulder operation, every move he made was scrutinized.
Schmidt, manager Joe Torre’s preferred pick for the fifth starter if he’s healthy, considers that a sign he is indeed healthy.
“It’s a good thing and it’s nice,” he said of being left alone.
Hiroki Kuroda looked healthy too in his first bullpen session Monday, throwing 30 pitches and saying afterward that it went better than expected. Skipping the World Baseball Classic was interpreted by some that his shoulder was acting up again, even though he’s insisted he’s fine.
Chad Billingsley had his second bullpen session Monday and reported no problem with the leg he broke in November. — Ken Gurnick
Kenny G Around the Horn 
Level with me here, Ken. What are the odds that Schmidty will actually make it out of Spring Training with a healthy shoulder and the 5th starter nod? Can he even be effective anymore at the major league level after all the procedures that arm of his has undergone? I don’t expect to see the guy gassing hitters with a mid-90’s fastball or anything. But is it realistic to think he could even reach 90 mph and throw a half-decent curve anymore?