Brewers starting pitchers
Opening day starter: Ben Sheets (right-hander, 12-5, 3.82 earned-run average, 106 strikeouts in 141 1/3 innings in 2007).
Rest of rotation: Jeff Suppan (RH, 12-12, 4.62 ERA, 114 strikeouts); Dave Bush (RH, 12-10, 5.12 ERA, 134 strikeouts); Carlos Villanueva (RH, 8-5, 3.94 ERA in 59 appearances, including six starts); Manny Parra (left-hander, 10-5, 2.71 ERA between Double-A Huntsville, Triple-A Nashville and Milwaukee).
Big Ben: Sheets, who is in the final season of a four-year, $38-million contract that he signed in mid-April 2005, averaged 11 wins in his four big-league seasons and just nine in his last three injury-prone seasons. From 2002 through 2004, Sheets averaged 34 starts and nearly 225 innings per season. Over the past three seasons, he has averaged 21 starts and only 134 innings. But while injuries have limited Sheets' availability the past three seasons, he has a respectable 3.63 ERA with a stellar ratio of nearly five strikeouts per walk issued in that span.
On the mend: When RH Yovani Gallardo (9-5, 3.67 ERA) returns in a few weeks from minor knee surgery, another pitcher will be bumped from the rotation. Gallardo was placed on the 15-day disabled list earlier this week. A player who starts the season on the DL must sit out at least six days. But Gallardo isn't expected to be back until mid-April.
On the shelf: LH Chris Capuano has a torn replacement tendon in his throwing elbow. He is seeking a second opinion from surgeon James Andrews before deciding whether to have "Tommy John" surgery or attempt rehabilitation. He underwent the same surgery in 2002. Capuano is expected to miss the entire 2008 season.
Point to ponder: The Brewers had three starters a year ago with ERAs over 5.00 -- Bush (5.12), Capuano (5.10) and Vargas (5.09). Only Bush remains on the active roster.
On the horizon: Non-roster left-hander Chris Narveson had an impressive spring, going 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA in six appearances. Once a promising prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization, he will begin the season in the starting rotation at Triple-A Nashville for the Brewers. "He painted himself into the picture," Yost said. "He's had a great spring."
Did you know? Sheets, Suppan and Bush shared the club lead with 12 victories apiece in 2007.
