JetHawks

The starting rotation the Lancaster JetHawks hoped to have coming out of spring training is a little closer to reality. Left-hander Damaso Marte started Thursday night and right-hander Jeff Farnsworth arrived from extended spring training on Friday and will pitch Sunday.

“It’s starting to shape up,” Manager Rick Burleson said. “When we left spring training those were our No. 1 [Farnsworth] and No. 2 [Marte]) starters.”

Farnsworth, the Seattle Mariners’ second-round pick last June, had arm problems and a stomach virus. Marte had a sore elbow.

Rob Luce (2.25) pitched so well in three starts filling in for Farnsworth that he will stay in the rotation and Aaron Scheffer will go to the bullpen. Scheffer has a 6.57 earned-run average in three starts.

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Right-hander Rafael Rivera will be sent to double-A Memphis today to join the Chicks’ injury-depleted bullpen. Rivera was on the disabled list with the JetHawks, but he is able to pitch.

Outfielder Luis Tinoco, who has been unable to throw because of a shoulder injury, was placed on the seven-day disabled list and replaced by outfielder Miguel Correa, who came from double A. Tinoco underwent an MRI Friday, but the results won’t be known until next week.

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Tonight’s Game:

JetHawks (Rob Luce, 2-0, 2.25) at San Bernardino (Kevin Pincavitch, 1-2, 7.47), 7:05.

Around the leagues

Outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. (Granada Hills High, Mission College) went four for five Thursday night for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, raising his average to .317.

Matthews, 22, back for a second season in the California League, is trying to continue a pattern in which he’s raised his average each season since the San Diego Padres signed him in 1994.

Matthews hit .209 at Spokane, Wash. in 1994; .238 at Class-A Clinton, Iowa, in 1995; and .271 last year at Rancho Cucamonga.

Duane Espy, the Padres’ roving hitting instructor, said he sees improvement.

“I’m very pleased,” Espy said. “I think he’s made a lot of strides. He’s much more aggressive, much more ready to hit. I think a year ago his biggest problem was being too selective and taking way too [many pitches]. He’s got strength and bat speed.”

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Scanning Thursday box scores: Right-hander Jeff Suppan (Crespi) won his first game of the season for triple-A Pawtucket, R.I. Suppan gave up one run and two hits in seven innings, striking out eight. . . . Outfielder Jacob Cruz (Channel Islands) had three hits for triple-A Phoenix. . . . Former JetHawk outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. hit his second home run for triple-A Tacoma, Wash. . . . Right-hander Dan Chergey (Thousand Oaks) struck out the side in the ninth, picking up his fourth save for double-A Portland, Maine. . . . First baseman Nate Dishington (Hoover) went four for five, raising his average to .368, for Class-A Prince William, Va. . . . Outfielder Gabe Kapler (Taft, Moorpark College), after going hitless in the first game of a doubleheader, had three hits in the second game for Class-A Lakeland, Fla. . . . Right-hander Brandon Knight (Buena High, Ventura College) won his first game for Class-A Port Charlotte, Fla., pitching six innings and allowing two runs. Right-hander Anthony Dellamano (Westlake) pitched one inning to record a save for Port Charlotte. The loser for St. Lucie, Fla., was right-handed reliever Jeff Howatt (Rio Mesa).