31.   His counterpart on the Marlins, Ryan Dempster, is getting ready to pitch one of the first two days of the season and pitched five innings.

32.   Hershiser also pitched seven innings and had seven strikeouts.

33.   Hernandez took a shutout into the eighth, then talked manager Dusty Baker into letting him pitch the inning.

34.   His replacement, right-hander Miguel Bautista, pitched three innings, giving up four hits and three runs, and striking out four.

35.   I went out and pitched five innings against the Cubs.

36.   In his spring-training debut he pitched three innings and allowed one unearned run against the Orioles, and he did so by using his change-up.

37.   Ismael Valdes pitched seven innings and allowed four runs in the series finale.

38.   It may be easier to find a guy who pitches an inning than another starter.

39.   John Smoltz is planning to test his inflamed elbow Thursday in Jacksonville by pitching an inning for the Class AA Greenville Braves.

40.   Johnson pitched seven innings and allowed two runs on five hits, but he walked six.