i ate 10 tacos next to jeff weaver last night

This is actually kind of heartwarming (maybe):

Right-hander Jeff Weaver went through a 40-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday and came out of it with a big grin on his face.

He has been focusing on getting his right arm and shoulder strengthened and fine-tuning some mechanical flaws, such as using the lower part of his body more.

"I think we're making progress," pitching coach Rafael Chaves said of the session. "We are emphasizing better balance and using his legs more. The better balance he has, the more he will be able to get on top of the ball."

When that happens, the action on Weaver's pitches, especially his fastball and changeup, break down instead of sideways.

"When pitches that are supposed to go down in the zone are going down instead of left to right, you know you are on the right track," Weaver said. "I had a smile on my face when I was throwing."

Asked when the last time he smiled while on a pitching mound, he said, "Good question."

Tuesday was the first time in a long time.

http://jeffweaverfansite.tripod.com/images/springer1.jpg

It was the only picture of a smiling Jeff Weaver available on the internet. :(

http://www.timewarptoys.com/weave1.jpg

After throwing 70 pitches in a simulated game on Tuesday, Weaver (15-day disabled list, shoulder) declared himself ready to return to the starting rotation, reports the Seattle Times. However, the team would like for him to go on a two-week minor league rehab assignment.

SEATTLE -- After all the issues Jeff Weaver has had while flopping from World Series hero for St. Louis to $8 million bust in Seattle, both he and the Mariners are trying to downplay another one: Weaver avoiding a trip to the minor leagues to rehabilitate his tired shoulder.

The Mariners wanted to send their No. 5 starter to perhaps two minor-league outings to finish a stint on the disabled list that began May 11. But Weaver said he didn't need the trip. And because he is a veteran, he had the right to refuse.

Weaver, 0-6 with a 14.32 ERA, said having a bullpen session Thursday and an 85-pitch simulated game Sunday instead is not a disagreement with his sixth team in six years.

"It was always something we were going to discuss," Weaver said Thursday before he left the Mariners clubhouse to throw with what he says is a much stronger throwing shoulder.

Earlier this week, Seattle manager Mike Hargrove told reporters that Weaver needed some minor-league starts because of the long layoff.

"He hasn't pitched competitively in three weeks," Hargrove said Tuesday in Anaheim, Calif. "It's just to see how he'll do in different game situations."

But on Wednesday, Hargrove told reporters he wasn't concerned about Weaver not pitching in a game in weeks, that a simulated game would likely be enough to lead him back into the rotation next weekend at San Diego.

On Thursday, Weaver said the Mariners asked him what he thought would be the best course to finish his DL stint. He said he did not refuse a request to make the minor-league rehab starts.

"I just really feel that I've just been getting my pitches and getting enough of my endurance up in the bullpens here," he said. "It's not like I was working through a sprain or strain. I've been throwing the whole time."

The team says Weaver has had tendinitis in the shoulder. Weaver called it "fatigue" in the joint that has since improved markedly through weight lifting.

He said he had the same shoulder fatigue while with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005. Yet he pitched through it for 2½ weeks because he was throwing well.

"When it happened this time, I'd been struggling," he said. "So I thought it would make it worse to struggle through it."

Weaver's eventual return will likely bump Ryan Feierabend back to Triple-A Tacoma. The Mariners recalled Feierabend, who debuted with them late last season, on Tuesday to start against the Angels. He will start again on Sunday against Texas.

Cha Seung Baek, who was 2-2 with a 4.60 ERA entering his start Thursday against the Rangers, has pitched well enough since arriving to replace Weaver to earn a stay -- at least while Mariners starter Horacio Ramirez remains on the disabled list. Ramirez, who has shoulder tendinitis, is eligible to return June 9.

Lost in the Rocket carnival yesterday was another return: the return of Jeff Weaver. 4 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 K, and a stiff back that prevented him from continuing.

Jered's ERA is now 3.88 but he is averaging 97 pitches in 5.7 innings per game. He has yet to surrender more than one taco in a start (a definite improvement from the five he gave up during his last two '06 starts).

And I forgot that Jered was due to take the mount last night. He lasted three innings before being pulled due to the same ailment that shortened his brother's return.

He's in line for the win against the only team that could provide such an opportunity for excellence.

Quality start! ERA now below 11.00!

So much for the win.

do 10 hits and a walk in 6 innings really constitute a quality start?

Baby steps (and facetiousness), Steve.

He got the job done (almost). I tip my cap.