On how he'd assess his 2006 season thus far: "Overall, I'm happy with it. I think it's a pretty good reflection of what I'm capable of doing. I've been healthy and have been able to help the team in a variety of roles: long man, setting up, closing games. Hopefully that versatility has helped open a few eyes, so people don't view me as just a lefty-specialist. An after-the-point fact is that I've always been effective against both lefties and righties, but maybe there's been a perception that I'm more of a lefty-lefty guy."
On if being a lefty-specialist would actually improve his value: "In some respects that might be true. Teams are often looking for a guy to come in and get a Giambi or a Matsui out. I don't really fit the model for that, though. Maybe the perception is blurred because I don't come from the side or having a sweeping breaking ball. But while my numbers against lefties are good, in the long run my role is going to be better if I'm getting guys out from both sides. Maybe that could even happen as a starter someday."
On whether he thinks he could have success as a starter: "I haven't started a game since turning pro, but I think I could in terms of stuff. I feel that I'd be able to get guys out more than two or three times through the order. The question would be building up my body to throw on that schedule, as I'm not used to it. My arm has been seasoned to throw mostly one or two innings every few days, rather than six or eight every five days. It's something I could do, though. My splits are comparable, so maybe the organization will consider it. But that's not my call. I'm happy in any role, and I'll do whatever has me pitching in the big leagues."
On the new pitch he’s been throwing this season: “I’ve added a little cut-fastball, which I worked on over the winter. I wasn’t sure if it was something I’d be using until I had a chance to face hitters, but it’s turned out to be a good pitch for me. I use it to augment my change, which fades away from right-handed-hitters. I’d say that few at-bats go by where I don’t use both against righties.”
On how closely he follows what's going on in Boston, and what it's like watching the team go through a difficult stretch, as they did in the month of August: "I watch pretty closely, especially with my being on the 40-man and having had two brief stints up there this year. Everything that happens there impacts us down here. I had never realized that quite as much until this season. And it’s definitely hard to watch the parent team struggle. I'm a part of the organization, so I want to see us do well."
On how pitching at Fenway Park compares to other places he’s played: “My two big league outings this year have been there, and it’s definitely a different feel. There’s a feeling of tradition and an aura you don’t find in other ballparks. Of the places I’ve played, Dodger Stadium probably comes closest. Yankee Stadium will certainly rank high if I get an opportunity to pitch there. I consider it a privilege to pitch at someplace like Fenway Park.”
On what he talks about with his teammates in the bullpen at Pawtucket: “Naturally, a lot of us in the pen are kind of a clique because we spend so much time together. When Tim Bausher was here, he knew as many baseball statistics as anyone. Marc Deschenes has his baseball academy, so he’s a real businessman -- a real entrepreneur. Javier Lopez is pretty worldly and cultured. You can talk to him about anything from politics to history. I’ve learned a lot about the intricacies of baseball from him, too, as he used to be a player rep. It’s nice to know what matters to guys and what makes them tick. A lot of what we talk about isn’t exactly rocket science, but there are actually a lot of smart and interesting people out there.”