WATCH: Julian Merryweather on his rehab from knee surgery |
Tony Crumpton
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- Sunday, February 16 2025
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Julian Merryweather spoke to Elise Menaker in the clubhouse from spring training, talking about his offseason, his rehab following knee surgery, and much more.
Watch the interview below:
Video summary/cliff-notes:
00:00 – Julian Merryweather had a productive offseason, focusing on rehab from knee surgery, which went smoothly. He’s now feeling 100% and ready for the season.
00:23 – He described last season’s frustrating end due to lingering knee issues but feels optimistic after a successful rehab process.
00:47 – His rehab included regaining range of motion, rebuilding strength, and gradually reintroducing baseball activities. He is now fully game-ready.
01:13 – Without knee pain, he can now concentrate on improving mechanics and delivery instead of managing discomfort.
01:36 – He acknowledges that injuries may have led to mechanical adjustments or bad habits but is now confident in his strength and form.
02:00 – Merryweather has been focusing on sharpening his slider and improving fastball command while maintaining secondary pitches like the changeup and sweeper.
02:25 – His primary goal this season is to stay healthy and refine his pitching mechanics to rediscover his rhythm on the mound.
02:51 – He embraces the competitive bullpen environment, where players push each other to perform at their best.
03:15 – The bullpen has a strong mix of veterans and young players, creating a learning-focused and supportive team dynamic.
03:40 – He hasn’t spoken much with new teammate Ryan Pressly yet but admires his pitching skills and looks forward to learning from him.
