“One of the big challenges in baseball right now is the difference in the ball itself. I think it’s going to be important for him to get comfortable with the major-league ball, whether that’s spring training or at the triple-A level, before we have confidence that he’s ready for the next step and that he has the confidence that he’s ready for the next step,” Klentak said. “None of that should diminish our confidence in him to be a very good pitcher at the major-league level and, hopefully, in short order.