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06-27-2006, 03:49 AM
<b>Jackson, Villanueva impress Yost</b>
Ned Yost isn't ready to proclaim a cure yet, but suddenly things are looking better at the bottom of the Milwaukee Brewers' starting rotation.
Yes, Milwaukee is 2-12 in games pitched by replacements for the injured Ben Sheets and Tomo Ohka, but now the Brewers have some seemingly pleasant options for the fourth and fifth starting spots.
Rookie left-hander Zach Jackson has had two consecutive starts that impressed Yost, and right-hander Carlos Villanueva threw six scoreless innings in his first major-league start Wednesday in Cincinnati.
And with veteran righty Rick Helling looking ready to return from an elbow injury - he allowed one run in seven innings Thursday night in his second rehabilitation start for Class AAA Nashville - Yost and general manager Doug Melvin have a decision to make.
Keep the youngsters in the rotation and put Helling back in the long-relief role he had before being injured in April? Or plug Helling in as a starter and move Jackson or Villanueva to the bullpen, or back to the minors for regular starting work?
Because Helling won't be ready again until early next week, Yost has some time to think things over.
Asked Friday where he stood in terms of picking an option, Yost said, "I stand right here," and tapped his forehead.
He was emphatic about one thing, though: He has liked what Jackson and Villanueva have shown him.
Asked what would show that the rotation's problems have been fixed, Yost said, "When we have two guys who (consistently) do what they did the last three times out. When we can at least compete in those two spots."
That wasn't happening with the previous fill-ins for Sheets and Ohka: left-hander Dana Eveland and right-hander Ben Hendrickson, now back in the minors, and lefty Jorge De La Rosa, now on the disabled list.
Jackson and Villanueva "got on the attack and they went after it," Yost said. "Eveland and Ben Hendrickson didn't.
"They all have great stuff. They're all capable of pitching here. Two were on the attack and two weren't. You've got to learn that your stuff is good enough to get guys out, and you've got to get out there and throw strikes."
As for Sheets and Ohka, both of whom have shoulder problems, they continue to throw for short periods. But Yost said there were no timetables for their return to the active roster.
Ned Yost isn't ready to proclaim a cure yet, but suddenly things are looking better at the bottom of the Milwaukee Brewers' starting rotation.
Yes, Milwaukee is 2-12 in games pitched by replacements for the injured Ben Sheets and Tomo Ohka, but now the Brewers have some seemingly pleasant options for the fourth and fifth starting spots.
Rookie left-hander Zach Jackson has had two consecutive starts that impressed Yost, and right-hander Carlos Villanueva threw six scoreless innings in his first major-league start Wednesday in Cincinnati.
And with veteran righty Rick Helling looking ready to return from an elbow injury - he allowed one run in seven innings Thursday night in his second rehabilitation start for Class AAA Nashville - Yost and general manager Doug Melvin have a decision to make.
Keep the youngsters in the rotation and put Helling back in the long-relief role he had before being injured in April? Or plug Helling in as a starter and move Jackson or Villanueva to the bullpen, or back to the minors for regular starting work?
Because Helling won't be ready again until early next week, Yost has some time to think things over.
Asked Friday where he stood in terms of picking an option, Yost said, "I stand right here," and tapped his forehead.
He was emphatic about one thing, though: He has liked what Jackson and Villanueva have shown him.
Asked what would show that the rotation's problems have been fixed, Yost said, "When we have two guys who (consistently) do what they did the last three times out. When we can at least compete in those two spots."
That wasn't happening with the previous fill-ins for Sheets and Ohka: left-hander Dana Eveland and right-hander Ben Hendrickson, now back in the minors, and lefty Jorge De La Rosa, now on the disabled list.
Jackson and Villanueva "got on the attack and they went after it," Yost said. "Eveland and Ben Hendrickson didn't.
"They all have great stuff. They're all capable of pitching here. Two were on the attack and two weren't. You've got to learn that your stuff is good enough to get guys out, and you've got to get out there and throw strikes."
As for Sheets and Ohka, both of whom have shoulder problems, they continue to throw for short periods. But Yost said there were no timetables for their return to the active roster.