Axford to lead Brewers' bullpen again

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PHOENIX - John Axford has become the dean of the Milwaukee Brewers’ bullpen – and he hopes to pitch like it this season. He’s starting his third season as the closer of a Milwaukee bullpen that was revamped after having the highest combined ERA in the National League at four-point-six-six last year.

The relievers racked up 33 losses as they had the league’s most blown saves with 29. The Brewers got rid of Francisco Rodriguez, Manny Parra, Jose Veras, and Kameron Loe – and they picked up veterans Tom Gorzelanny, Michael Gonzalez, and Burke Badenhop. Axford made a minor change in his mechanics, in the place where he holds his glove hand just before his delivery. He hopes it will help. He also plans to use his fastball more, after he struggled at times last year and finished 5-8 with a 4.67 ERA. Axford had 35 saves a year ago, after a team-record 45 the preceding year.

Pitchers, catchers, and a few position players have been practicing this week in Phoenix as Spring Training got underway. The rest of the team reports today, and the Brewers’ first full workout is set for tomorrow.

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Milwaukee Brewers’ starter Chris Narveson says he’s throwing well, as he comes off a rotator cuff injury which kept him out for most of last season. The left-hander is 100-percent healed, and he’s been throwing bullpen sessions for a couple of weeks with no trouble. Narveson came to Spring Training early to test himself out. He said three trainers watched him yesterday, when Brewer pitchers-and-catchers held their first official workout. Narveson said he told the trainers that he was effortless with his throwing – and they said he looked excellent. Narveson is one of four pitchers competing for the final three spots in the Milwaukee rotation this season.

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