Nomo ready after rehab start

Nick Christensen

Friday, Aug. 27, 2004 | 9:59 a.m.

Nearly two months have passed since Hideo Nomo was a part of the Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation, and based on how he looked Thursday night at Cashman Field, he is about ready to go back.

Nomo threw 95 pitches in 5 1/3 innings with the Las Vegas 51s, rehabilitating an inflamed rotator cuff. He allowed three earned runs on five hits, but struck out 10 batters while walking two in the 51s' 4-3 win against the Fresno Grizzlies in front of an announced crowd of 5,275.

Nomo struggled with his control early, despite his two first-inning strikeouts

More than one pitch was in the dirt, and the Grizzlies got two hits off him. Fresno's final three hits -- off Nomo and for the game -- came in the second inning, in which he gave up a home run down the first base line, a triple to the warning track in deep center, and another home run down the third base line.

Afterward, he said he has felt no pain since his rehab assignment started two weeks ago.

"I could have pitched two weeks ago; I would pitch anytime," Nomo said through an interpreter. "It depends on the manager."

Las Vegas manager Terry Kennedy said this was Nomo's last rehab outing. Nomo, 35, has been working on a new pitching style to try to keep his arm healthy.

Nomo has been working on pitching from the stretch, as opposed to his signature wind-up. He said that he's ready to try the new style in an effort to stay healthy.

"I am an outstanding pitcher," he said through his interpreter. "I can wind up, and I can be ready."

Nomo's velocity hasn't suffered, and in fact has improved from his last rehab outing at Cashman Field. The stadium radar gun indicated that he threw up to 94 mph.

"His velocity's picking up. When he didn't have a fastball, hitters could sit and not worry about the fastball not getting by them," Kennedy said.

The pitcher said that he's not concerned about his speed, only his control.

"I don't care about velocity," Nomo said. "I had good command, good arm motions."

Despite his success Thursday and his impending return to the Dodgers, Kennedy wouldn't say this was Nomo's best outing.

"He just hung two pitches, and they were hit out," Kennedy said. "He was pretty good in Sacramento. He went for a long time today, which is good."