JASON DAVIS A change will do him good

The Indians pitcher added a changeup in the offseason.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -- Jason Davis is eager to pick up where he left off last season for the Cleveland Indians -- with one big change.
"I've got a changeup now and I'm really excited about it," said Davis, who had a 1.23 ERA over his final seven outings of 2004 after being switched to the bullpen.
The 6-foot-6 right-hander believes mixing in a good off-speed pitch will make his fastball, which has been clocked at 100 mph, more effective.
"That's the whole idea, to keep the hitters guessing," Davis said.
Just where Davis will pitch this season is anybody's guess, too.
"Starting, relieving, whatever they want me to do is just fine," he said. "Whatever your role is, you still have to make your pitches and you still have to get the other guy out."
That was quite a struggle for Davis last season in his second year in Cleveland's starting rotation. By the time he was sent to Triple-A Buffalo in early July, he had a 2-6 record and a 6.00 ERA, which was fourth-worst in the American League.
"I was overthrowing everything, trying too hard," said Davis. "I rushed my delivery, wasn't consistent with anything."
Better pitcher
He worked on his rhythm and went 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA in the minors to earn a call back up to Cleveland. Then he was met with the challenge of pitching in relief for the first time.
"There's a different approach to pitching in relief, for sure," Davis said. "As a starter, you have four days to think about things. In relief, you're called to warm up and bang, you're in the game.
"It's a little more exciting in a way because you have to be on your toes seven days a week to be ready. I like that."
The 24-year-old is scheduled to make his 2005 spring debut Saturday as a starter, however.
"Right now, I am conditioning myself to be a backup starter," he said. "Later on in the spring, I'll go to the bullpen, but I'll have my stamina built up and hopefully can do whatever they want me to do."
All-Stars C.C. Sabathia and Jake Westbrook, left-hander Cliff Lee and veteran right-hander Scott Elarton have been joined by free agent addition Kevin Millwood in Cleveland's rotation.
Though Millwood's signing seems to have bumped Davis out of a starting role, the two quickly have become good friends. Millwood even introduced Davis, an ardent outdoorsman, to the art of deep sea fishing two weeks before camp opened.
"That was a blast, but I can't remember when I was so sore," Davis said. "We caught a bunch of sharks and a 60-pound amber jack. It was like pulling in a Volkswagen."
Fishing buddy
Davis is happy with what his new fishing buddy brings to the Indians, too.
"It's amazing how our staff has grown," he said. "Kevin brings a lot of experience and a new dimension to the group."
Davis said he loves to "pick the brains" of veterans like Millwood and closer Bob Wickman.
"You just want to hang around and soak up everything you can," he said. "It's a very good learning experience."
Pitching coach Carl Willis said that a willingness to learn and to adapt adds to Davis' value to the team.
"J.D. has come a long way already in his career and should only get better," said Willis. "We like his stuff and he's valuable because he can handle more than one role."