Hoffman expects spring training debut Friday

Mar 15, 2010 - 8:08 PM By COLIN FLY AP Sports Writer

PHOENIX(AP) -- Milwaukee Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman says he'll be ready for his exhibition debut on Friday, although the all-times saves leader isn't sure how many games he'll need to get ready for opening day.

The 42-year-old Hoffman faced hitters on Monday for the first time this spring, throwing 35 pitches to six batters. He's been limited to bullpen work so far in an effort to keep him fresh for the season.

"It felt good," Hoffman said. "It felt good to get a hitter in there and the next progression will have the umpire back there and no screen."

Hoffman has been working through some minor stiffness in his upper back and the Brewers don't want a repeat of last season's spring training when he strained his right oblique and missed the first month of the season on the disabled list.

Hoffman saved 37 games and had a 1.83 ERA in his first years with the Brewers last year, and in the offseason he signed an $8 million, one-year contract with a mutual option for 2011.

The hitters Hoffman faced all played in lower levels of the Brewers' farm system. One hitter was born in 1991, when Hoffman began his career as a pitcher after spending his first two seasons in the minors as a position player.

Hoffman mixed in his change up with his fastball and only one hitter made solid contact against him that would've been a base hit.

"It's better than going from bullpen to straight to the ballgame," Hoffman said. "It was exactly what I was trying to feel."

Hoffman, who has 591 career saves, said he wasn't sure how many appearances he'd need to be ready for the season.

With three weeks left in training camp, Hoffman could get regular rest and still make as many as five appearances before opening day on April 5 against Colorado.