Dan Bard: the skill is gone

[Fred not Lynn]

I make the presumption that he hasn't reached the "I don't want to do this anymore" point based on the fact he is still doing it...

 

[Gdiguy]

His best bet might be to take some time off.  He can try to do whatever he needs to do to address the control issues on his own, without a live batter at the plate. Be it this year or next, I have to think a video of him throwing with better control automatically gets him a ST invite from somebody, if he can't arrange for a private workout with a club.   

 
Has there been anything said about whether he currently has control without a live batter?
 
Maybe I'm just naive, but I'd have to think that at this point they wouldn't have been running him out in games if he was that uncontrolled in bullpen sessions... if they're trying to work through a psychological issue it's one thing, but if he's just wildly throwing the ball even in bullpen sessions I'd hope they wouldn't put batters in danger of getting hit just for the hell of it.

 

[TheGoldenGreek33]

FWIW, I had a friend go through some yips and he said it was never an issue during a bullpen session or even in pregame warmups on the mound.
 
I'd be interested to see what Bard is like when he's warming up.
 
edit: He also said his arm just spasmed during release.
 
edit: Bard just needs to take a year off if he wants to continue. 

 

[joyofsox]

When the Rangers moved Bard to Hickory in early June, Rangers pitching coordinator Danny Clark said: "His velocity has been 94-97 mph, and in his last outing in Arizona he showed improved consistency with his command. We're excited to see him under the lights. We should know more after he gets 2-3 outings under his belt."
 
Sadly, the Rangers learned all they needed to in those 2-3 outings. A pretty thorough article search turned up no quotes from Bard.