Starting rotation seems to be strong suit

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C.C. Sabathia has been the only starter to miss time the last two seasons.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — It's easy to see why Cleveland Indians pitching coach Carl Willis has a smile on his face these days.

When Willis walks the sun-drenched fields at the team's spring training complex, he sees staff ace C.C. Sabathia, who has won 81 games in six major league seasons, throwing batting practice. Standing nearby waiting his turn to throw is Jeremy Sowers, who went 7-4 and threw two shutouts last season after being called up from the minors in late June.

On another field throwing to hitters is Jake Westbrook, 44-34 the last three seasons.

Throwing bullpen sessions a few steps away are Cliff Lee, who has 46 wins the last three years, and Paul Byrd, a steady veteran with an 82-73 career record.

The Indians head into the 2007 season with questions about their bullpen, defense and tough competition in the AL Central.

Unlike many teams, however, the Indians aren't worried about their rotation.

"It's a tremendous situation for us," Willis said. "We're really excited. I believe our No. 1 asset is our starting pitching."

Cleveland's starters compiled the third best ERA (4.31) in the league last season and had a 62-57 record. The starters finished second with 1,0002/3 innings pitched.

"We have a good mix here," said Westbrook, 15-10 with a 4.17 ERA last season.

"We have guys who can move the ball around, throw strikes and who know how to pitch. Each guy will bring something different. We also have three left-handers (Sabathia, Lee and Sowers). That's always a big plus."

While many teams spend spring training scrambling to fill out their rotation, the Indians can already arrange things for the regular season.

Sabathia, 12-11 with a 3.22 ERA in 2006, will pitch the season in opener in Chicago on April 2.

Westbrook said he'll pitch the second game of the season.

Description of blend

The rotation is a blend of youth and experience. At 36, Byrd is the only starter over 30. Sabathia, in the majors since 2001, is just 26.

Westbrook and Lee are 29 and 28, respectively, while Sowers, 24, is in his third year of pro ball.

"The veterans here have been a big help to me," said Sowers, who had a 3.57 ERA last season.

"I've learned a lot from them."

Durability has been another key to the rotation's success.

The five returnees made 85 percent of the team's starts last season — Lee (33), Westbrook (32), Byrd (31), Sabathia (28), and Sowers (14). Veteran Jason Johnson, traded when Sowers was called up, also made 14.

Sabathia has been the only starter to miss time the last two seasons. He missed most of last April with a pulled muscle in his side.

Should there be an injury, the Indians have depth in the minors. Right-handers Fausto Carmona and Adam Miller, the top two pitching prospects in the organization, will begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo.

Notes

Westbrook, who will start today's exhibition opener against Houston, won't let his impending free agency affect his preparation for the season. "If you get consumed with that, it defeats the purpose of what you're trying to do," he said. ... Manager Eric Wedge said OF Trot Nixon (back surgery in December) should be ready to play in the second week of exhibition games. ... Sabathia pitched a scoreless inning in Wednesday's final intrasquad game. Carmona allowed two runs in one inning.

Thursday, March 1, 2007