Julio Teheran says his arm is ready to go

After signing Julio Teheran to a one-year contract in the offseason, the Angels haven’t quite gotten the production they envisioned out of the veteran starter. Through two starts, the 29-year old has allowed seven runs in 4 ²⁄₃ innings. He also has more walks (4) than strikeouts (3).

However, Teheran isn’t worried about his slow start. He said he feels fine and the hard work he’s been putting in is going to pay off soon.

“I feel like my first two starts I didn’t have the fastball command I normally have,” Teheran said to the media on Saturday. “I’ve been working on it. I like to pitch with my fastball.”

Teheran was late reporting to summer camp after he tested positive for COVID-19. He knows that the start of his season has been delayed due to the time he’s missed, but according to him, it’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish.

“We’re all going to have bad outings,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how you start. I’ve been delayed with everything. It’s how you finish. Having the first two outings the way it was, doesn’t mean that’s how it’s going to be for the rest of the year. I know the kind of pitcher I am.”

While he was stuck at home, Teheran was able to throw still. He made sure to throw every day to make sure he’d be able to return as soon as possible. When he returned, he told his manager Joe Maddon to throw him out there because he knew he could do it and was ready.

According to Teheran, his arm feels good. Though he’s not fully stretched out, he feels as if he can throw 75-90 pitches. He says that he’s learned to understand his arm and how much he can get out of it.

“I’ve been through a lot,” he said. “I know what it’s like to have a bad game and good game. I feel good. That’s the most important thing. When my arm feels good, that’s what matters.”

Teheran will make his third start of the season this afternoon against the Dodgers. First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. PT.