PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Scott Rice is healthy and ready for a new season after a heavy-usage rookie year in 2013. The lefty reliever appeared in a team-leading 73 games despite not pitching in a game after Sept. 3 because of season-ending injury for a sports hernia.

Despite the truncated end to his season, Rice was still tied for 18th most appearances in the majors last year. He had a 3.71 ERA in those games -- the summation of his long sought after rookie season. Rice also had the ninth highest groundball rate (60.3 percent) of any reliever in the majors with at least 40 innings thrown last season.

"I’m 100 percent healthy and ready to go," he said.

Rice, 32, said that he was ready and healthy again by the middle of November, though it took some time to recover his full range of motion.

The grind of the season forced Rice to amend his offseason preparation. He did not throw a soon as he normally would this offseason to give his arm an extended rest and also focused more on strengthening his legs and body to take on the demands of another taxing season.

Though oft-used, Rice said that he felt he was in good shape by last September. He credited a workout routine that he carried through the season and is looking to get in place again this year.

"Tired," Rice said of how he felt in September. "No, I felt good. I felt all my conditioning throughout the season really helped me prepare for that role. That’s something I take pride in, being the left-handed reliever — being a reliever in general — being able to answer the call everyday. That’s something I’m working for this year: pitching in as many games as (Terry Collins) needs me."

Collins would like to have another lefthander in the bullpen alongside Rice but would not commit to it for sure. Josh Edgin and Jack Leathersich are other lefthanded reliever possibilities.

"Perfect world you’d like two lefties," Collins said. "The best scenario you take seven guys that can get people out, whether they’re right or lefthanded."