The rookie initiation doesn't stop for left-hander Derek Holland.

The good news is that he doesn't seem to mind.

First, Holland was in charge of carrying a pink backpack to the bullpen. He no longer has those duties, but Tuesday he was wearing a bright orange football helmet when the pitchers did their running before the game. The helmet came from strength and conditioning coach Jose Vazquez.

Holland said he doesn't mind the constant hazing he receives from his teammates.

"The good thing about it is they're only doing it to keep me calm," he said. "They think I could be putting too much pressure on myself when I go out there and pitch, and this is a way to keep me relaxed.

"The way I see it is, they're behind me and supporting me. It's just a different way of expressing it."