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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Brewers News and Notes Column: Notebook

Posted on: Wednesday, 15 March 2006, 03:03 CST

By Drew Olson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Mar. 15--Tucson, Ariz. -- After spending spring training in Florida for the past 12 years, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jared Fernandez was a little leery about coming to Arizona last month.

"I heard the dry air was brutal for a knuckleball," said Fernandez, 34. "People told me that I was going to have trouble making the ball move."

Midway through his first Cactus League campaign, Fernandez has encountered only one slight problem on the mound: During his first outing, he went to lick his fingers and forgot that he just picked up the resin bag. "That was bad," he said.

Other than that, things have been going well.

With a scoreless inning against San Diego on Monday, Fernandez lowered his spring earned run average to 1.13. In eight innings over four games, he has allowed six hits and one run. He has struck out five batters, walked one and limited opponents to a .214 batting average.

"He has done a nice job," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "He's been impressive."

Impressive enough for Yost to give him a start Thursday against Oakland.

Fernandez, who has pitched in the big leagues for Cincinnati (2001-'02) and Houston (2003-'04), signed with the Brewers on Nov. 23 and went on to star for Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League, where he compiled a 2.87 ERA in 76 1/3 innings and was named pitcher of the year.

"It's humid there, so I can pretty much make the ball do what I want," Fernandez said.

Control is a key issue for all pitchers, but it's imperative for knuckleballers. "He's done a good job keeping the ball in the zone," Yost said. "He has had short, quick innings. He throws that knuckleball, and then he throws an 83-mph fastball and jams good hitters. He's got some weapons."

Yost said that Fernandez's versatility and pitchability have thrust him into contention for a spot on the pitching staff. That's fine with the right-hander. "I've done every role," he said. "I've started. I've relieved. The biggest problem for most knuckleballers is throwing strikes. I think I'm pretty consistent in the zone."

In the past, one of the things that has bothered Fernandez is when catchers have had trouble receiving his knuckler. So far in camp, that hasn't been a problem.

"These guys have been awesome," he said. "Damian Miller is helping me break in my (catcher's) glove. They've all done a great job and never complained." Injury updates: Second baseman Rickie Weeks was held out of drills Tuesday, a day after suffering a strained right oblique muscle. Weeks said the area felt "a little better" on Tuesday. "It was sore this morning because I did the stim (electric stimulator) machine and iced it all night," he said. "We'll just have to see how it feels (Wednesday)."

Shortstop J.J. Hardy (back spasms) continues to receive treatment, but it will likely be a few more days before he can play in a game.

Right-hander Ben Sheets, bothered a strained muscle in his back, played catch for the second straight day with no ill effects. Yost said he was not sure when Sheets would throw from a mound.

Right-hander Rick Helling (sore elbow) threw on the side Tuesday without incident.

Left-hander Dana Eveland, a candidate for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, turned in another uneven outing Tuesday. Eveland started against the Rockies and gave up seven hits, two walks and four runs in three innings.

"He didn't have his good stuff," Yost said of Eveland, whose spring ERA is 15.75. "I give him credit because he was out there competing, but he just wasn't sharp."

Right-hander Dennis Sarfate followed Eveland to the mound and threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

"Sarfate is making strides. He's learning how to pitch a little bit," Yost said.

Catcher Mike Rivera, a non-roster invitee who is getting an extended look this spring, hit a two-run, two-out homer in the second and added a sacrifice fly.

The Brewers went 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position Tuesday; the Rockies were 7 for 21

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Source: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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