MIAMI — Left-handed reliever Luis Avilan is not off to the kind of start he had hoped for – with an 8.10 ERA through his first 11 outings – after he ranked seventh among all major league relievers last year with a 1.52 ERA in 75 outings.
And he watched manager Fredi Gonzalez call on rookie left-hander Ian Thomas with two runners on and a 1-0 lead to protect in the 10th inning Sunday afternoon against the Reds. Thomas came through with the out and got his first major league win.
“Avi is still our dominant left-handed pitcher (in the bullpen),” Gonzalez said Tuesday before the opener of the series against the Miami Marlins. “Pitchers sometimes, just like hitters, they go through a little slump here or there.”
Avilan said he feels fine physically but is struggling with command of his sinker, leaving it out over the plate. He has given up 11 hits in his 6 2/3 innings. Granted five of the six earned runs he’s been charged with came in one outing on April 14 in Philadelphia, but Avilan has also given up hits in each of his past five outings.
“I’m not locating my pitches in the same way that I want to, I just have to work on it,” Avilan said. “…My sinker is not moving exactly the same way like last year. I’ve been working on it. Roger (McDowell) has been working with me. I’m sure I’m going to be fine.”
