Bill Batterman is the When the 2006 season began, it looked as if the Brewers had compiled a slew of capable arms that would finally give the franchise some much-needed pitching depth. In addition to the starting five of Ben Sheets, Doug Davis, Chris Capuano, Tomo Ohka, and Dave Bush, the team had Rick Helling and Jared Fernandez ready to step in from the bullpen and a collection of prospects stashed away in Nashville including incumbents Ben Hendrickson, Dana Eveland, and Dennis Sarfate and newcomer Zach Jackson.
Two months later, the team’s pitching staff is in disarray. With Sheets, Ohka, and Helling all stationed on the disabled list, the Brewers have used eight starters in their first 54 games. Fernandez pitched his way off the club after just four relief appearances while Hendrickson, Eveland, and Jorge De La Rosa have each been given opportunities to win a rotation spot. Hendrickson lasted just three starts before being unceremoniously demoted to Nashville with an 0-2 record and 12.00 earned run average and Eveland has now followed suit, optioned to the Music City after Friday’s appearance with an 0-2 record and 8.14 ERA in five regrettable starts.