Gallardo slows down to get into a rhythm in Arizona

PHOENIX -- Randy Wolf is the new guy in the Brewers' rotation. Doug Davis is the new guy who is really an old guy. Jeff Suppan is the older guy trying to recapture some youthful mojo. Manny Parra, Dave Bush and Chris Narveson want to be mentioned among the guys. Chris Capuano is the guy battling back from injury.

And then there is Yovani Gallardo.

The 24-year-old right-hander, who was 13-12 with a 3.73 earned run average in 30 starts last season, is going about his business without creating much news or drama.

There isn't a scintillating spring training storyline with Gallardo, other than the fact that he is considered the Brewers' best pitcher and one of the top young performers in the National League.

When Gallardo gave up a three-run homer to San Diego's Will Venable on Wednesday afternoon in Peoria, he didn't damage his confidence or his standing in the rotation.

"I feel great," Gallardo said. "I was just rushing a little bit."

Like several pitchers in camp, Gallardo has been focusing on his hand placement during the early phase of his delivery. That's been a big point of emphasis for new pitching coach Rick Peterson, who feels that hands are key to developing rhythm.

"That's the thing that I'm working on," Gallardo said, a laid-back personality who seems comfortable with both his surroundings and status on the team.

"That's the first thing (Peterson) mentioned to me. I told him I was up for it. I tried it in the bullpen the first couple weeks into spring and it feels good. It feels natural now.

"It helps get in rhythm with your leg kick. Whenever I do that the proper way, I'm staying back and going through the ball instead of leaning out forward my arm dragging.

"When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. You want to have that rhythm and repeat that delivery."

Once he regulated his tempo during the 49-pitch outing Wednesday, Gallardo put the ball where he wanted and focused on his throwing mechanics and working for the first time with new catcher Gregg Zaun.

One thing they'll talk about: pitch selection.

"(Zaun) has got to learn what Yo's best pitches are," manager Ken Macha said. "The kid (Venable) hit a slider out of the ballpark. In my opinion, that (slider) is not one of his top three pitches. It's a good learning process."