Simon talks about today's start

Alfredo Simon threw 81 pitches in five innings today in his first start on his rehab assignment, which ended with Harrisburg defeating Bowie, 8-6. The Senators scored twice in the ninth off Brandon Cooney. Simon read his prepared statement in one of the third-level suites at Prince George's Stadium and took questions from reporters related to today's outing. The entire session lasted about six minutes.

"I feel great. My pitches worked good, like my slider, my curve, my splitter. My command of my pitches, I feel great about that," he said. "I've been working hard to get ready as soon as I can to be in Baltimore. I feel pretty good right now. "Right now, I feel comfortable with every pitch that I throw." Simon threw more curveballs than usual, which makes sense if he's going to be a starter. His role hasn't been determined, but the rotation is one possibility. "They make that decision, so I've got to do whatever they think is better for me," he said. "I don't mind being a starter. I think that's fine." Simon said he wasn't nervous today. "When I go out, I just plan on doing my thing, just do my job," he said. "I didn't put a lot of things in my mind. I just try to play baseball. I don't think about whatever happened. Just put it behind me. Just doing my job and trying to do the best I can. "I've played baseball my whole life. I'm a baseball player. It's not any different. I know it's my first time, but I feel great." Simon said he's ready to pitch for the Orioles, "so when they decide to take me up there, I'm ready to be there." Simon also said that his arm feels great following ligament-reconstructive surgery on May 5, 2009. "Now it's feeling much better than last year," he said. "I feel like my arm's stronger. I've been working hard to get ready as soon as I can." Simon lost about 30 pounds over the winter. "I feel way better right now," he said. "When I'm running and doing everything I do, it's more quickly. My body's in a lot better shape. It's way better."