I think it's sort of a neat story that 'Rocket' is going to be the guy to take the ball in the first game. Not only does he deserve it, but I think it's a good story, too.

That was a great at-bat. You never know if that has anything to do with the next guy, but when a guy makes a bunch of pitches on you, and he nubs the ball to shortstop and he beats it out, I think it takes something out of you. You've got to applaud Willy for hanging tough in that at-bat.

You have to let Edmonds hit the ball. You can't walk him and [catcher] Brad [ Ausmus ] knows that ... and that was a mistake.

I guess I could say the bruise is sort of diffused somewhat so he doesn't have a half sized watermelon on his knee now. I feel 100 percent that he will be OK to make his next start.

If he wants to do that, I think he could.

I think he'll go as long as he wants.