Nomo, who will make his first major-league start of the season Sunday, still is a big question mark at this point, but the Brewers are encouraged. But a lot of guys don't throw as hard as they used to and are still successful. Perhaps the biggest shot in the arm for the Brewers' staff was Eldred's sterling outing Tuesday night. He allowed six hits and one unearned run in eight innings. The bottom line is that within a week's time the Brewers have transformed a glaring weak spot into an area of hope.
People come and people go.
Over the course of the season situations like this probably happen five or six times. There have been casualties along the way, however. Bill Pulsipher, who started the season in the rotation, has been on the disabled list since April 18 with a lower back strain and Garner said he wasn't expected back for at least a month. Jim Abbott, the inspiring one-handed pitcher, has been bounced from the rotation to make room for Nomo. Abbott's demotion to the bullpen leaves an odd man out, which probably will be Horacio Estrada, who figures to be sent to the minors when Nomo is activated Sunday.