Maddux on Oswalt Controversy: “That Was A Media Embellishment”

Mike Maddux doesn't believe there was ever any issue with Roy Oswalt

Rangers’ starter-turned-reliever Roy Oswalt caused a stir a little over a week ago when he refused to come out for a third inning of work in a relief appearance against the Royals, in a game that Texas would go on to lose, 7-6 in extra innings.

The veteran’s refusal to keep pitching in a tight game became the talk of the town for a little while, but according to pitching coach Mike Maddux, there never was an issue between Oswalt and the Rangers--not about his new role as a bullpen guy, and not about his decision to hit the showers after two relatively short innings of relief work.

That was a media embellishment,” Maddux told the “Ben & Skin Show” on ESPN Radio this week, via the Dallas Morning News. “That was almost National Inquirer stuff. There was nothing going on in our clubhouse or dugout. Nothing. That was just to create a story. We all know what’s going on. We talk to all of our guys.”

Issue or not, Oswalt has only pitched once since that night in Kansas City, and it didn’t go well. The veteran went 1 and 1/3 innings against Boston last Wednesday, surrendering three hits, a walk and four earned runs.

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