Blue Jays' Martin on Dickey's knuckleball: 'That's filthy, man'

Toronto Blue Jays newcomer Russell Martin began Wednesday to familiarize himself with the signature pitch of R.A. Dickey, holding himself at the mercy of the 40-year-old's fluttering knuckleball in their first bullpen session of the spring.

As the two got acquainted with one another on a foggy morning in Dunedin, Fla., Martin - who signed a five-year, $82-million deal with the Blue Jays in November - offered a wonderfully blunt assessment of Dickey's floater.

"That's filthy, man."

(Courtesy: bdzfusion68)

Though Josh Thole caught Dickey's first bullpen session of spring training - the 28-year-old has served as Dickey's personal catcher since their days with the New York Mets - manager John Gibbons said Monday that Martin will catch Dickey for the remainder of spring training.

“It’s definitely not an easy task, but if you focus and you follow the ball into the glove, it’s doable," Martin told Sportnset's Shi Davidi after his inaugural session with Dickey.

Martin, who implored Dickey to vary the velocity on his knuckleball without forewarning, received a strong endorsement from his batterymate afterwards.

"He's got a real willingness and desire to unpack what it takes to catch it well," Dickey told TSN's Scott MacArthur. "I don't anticipate us having trouble. I think he's going to be able to do it."