McDowell: Not Years, but Miles

The Cleveland Indians will watch closely as Jack McDowell makes his first start tonight against the Angels at Anaheim Stadium. Only 31, chronologically in his prime, there is concern that his workload in the early ‘90s has taken a toll.

A strained forearm muscle put him on the disabled list for the first time in his career last year. He had a 6.84 earned-run average in nine ensuing starts.

A strained abdominal muscle handicapped his spring, bumping him to No. 5 in the rotation--a role often erased by the early season weather and schedule. It’s a concession to the injury, but the Indians also may be trying to lighten the workload of a pitcher expected to be the workhorse.

Since 1990, only Greg Maddux has pitched more innings (1,691) than McDowell (1,566). In a four-year period spanning 1990-93, McDowell pitched an average of 244 innings a year with an ERA of 3.43. In three years since, he averaged 197 innings and a 4.26 ERA.

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Orel Hershiser, on the difference between opening day in Cleveland and Los Angeles: “It’s big in L.A., but there’s so much competition for the entertainment dollar that there’s always other things going on. In Cleveland, people like to get out and pretend it’s summer, so opening day is a huge deal there. In L.A., it’s been 75 to 80 since mid-January, so it’s not like they all rush out to smell the flowers.”

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After a pumped--isn’t he always?--Roger Clemens throttled Albert Belle, Frank Thomas and the White Sox in his first start for the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, teammate Tim Crabtree said he would always remember the look on Clemens’ face. The look? “Jump on my back boys and I’ll take you to the promised land,” Crabtree said.

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John Valentin, bumped to second base when new Boston Red Sox Manager Jimy Williams opted for Nomar Garciappara at shortstop, still would prefer to be traded and play shortstop.

“As long as I’m here, my only interest is winning. As far as I know I’ll be with the Red Sox for two more years and playing second for two more years. I’m prepared for that,” said Valentin. “If they trade me to a team that wants me to play short, I’m prepared for that as well.”

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A promising start by the Twins included a promising start by long-touted Frank Rodriguez, who held the Tigers to two runs in seven innings Wednesday after having Chinese characters tattooed on his right arm: knowledge, skill, understanding.

Manager Tom Kelly spent most of the spring wishing he could tattoo reminders on Rodriguez’s body. He forgot his glove for one spring road game, his spikes for another. He forgot to throw strikes in most games, with a spring ERA of 8.02.

Said Rodriguez: “Throw strikes. I might as well have that tattooed on my forehead.”