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Bell sent down, but vows to return
Topic Started: Jul 25 2005, 05:23 AM (23 Views)
Gategem
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Reliever intends to develop a changeup while in Norfolk
By Ben Couch / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- After learning he was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Heath Bell admitted he was disappointed, and his body language confirmed it.
His eyes focused on a point in the distance as he answered questions, and his body slumped in defeat.

But in the same fashion that Bell pounds away at batters with his mid-90s fastball, he slammed home one point to reporters: He'll be back, and sooner rather than later.

"I don't think anybody's ever happy when they get demoted," Bell said. "But I'm going to go down there, work on a couple of things and, hopefully, I'll get back here as quick as possible."

Bell was sent down in favor of right-hander Jose Santiago, who induces more ground balls than does Bell, a strikeout pitcher. That was a key factor considering the Mets are playing six games in the hitters' havens of Denver's Coors Field and Houston's Minute Maid Park.

While Bell is at Norfolk, he'll aim to develop a changeup to offset his electric fastball. Pitching at Triple-A allows Bell to throw the changeup continually, even if he struggles to get through an outing or two.

"If I go down there and I have an outing or two that doesn't go particularly well but I'm throwing a lot of changeups, I'm going to develop it," Bell said. "Whereas, here, we're going to lose ball games, and this is where it counts."

It was clear Bell is determined to return to the Majors, and he expressed confidence that a new pitch will make him even more dangerous.

"[Soon], it will be comfortable, and I'll be back up here," he said. "And I'll be striking everybody out."

Ben Couch is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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FloydNbunch
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What I dont understand is, why was Jose Santiago brought up? Why not Seo?
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TheOne
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Bell sucks, i'm glad he was sent down!!!
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