Bard ready to get back

I promised a Daniel Bard update, and I’m delivering.
If you don’t know who Bard is, check out the Fire Brand interview with him I did last September. Bard reported to Single-A Lancaster. In other words, to the haven of the hitters. He was placed on the disabled list May 2nd with a strained triceps muscle, and prior to that had a 10.13 ERA in five games started, throwing 13.1 IP, 21 H, 22 BB and 9 K. Concerning numbers, to say the least.
Some recent tidbits about Bard:

• Bard should be back from his injury in the next week, and he’s making a couple of rehab starts in Ft. Myers.
• The reason why Lancaster is such a hitter’s haven is the thin air of California and “gale-force winds that blow out to right-center all the time.”
• Bard was very impressed with Michael Bowden, calling him “legit” and mentioned that he also liked what he saw from Bubba Bell and Aaron Bates, and also called Bates a great defensive outfielder.

That’s it. Some pretty nice tidbits, though. I’m not happy we have an off-day today (although the players are probably thrilled) because I want to get right back on the horse, but at least we’re playing the worst team in the AL tomorrow. Yes, the worst – the Royals have a better record than the Rangers!