Comeback Begins in Earnest : Baseball: Fernando Valenzuela pitches two scoreless innings in his first appearance in a major league uniform since 1991.

L.A. Times Archives

March 12, 1993 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Fernando Valenzuela was uncharacteristically nervous and unmistakably elated to be back in the major leagues Thursday night during his exhibition debut with the Baltimore Orioles.

Making his first appearance in a major league uniform since 1991, Valenzuela pitched two scoreless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. He worked his way out of a bases-loaded, no-outs situation in his final inning to put an exclamation point on his first step toward a return to the big leagues.

He gave up two hits, a walk and hit a batter. But he also fanned Derek Bell and Pat Borders.

Although it was an exhibition game, Valenzuela said he hadn’t been that nervous since his rookie season, when he pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the New York Yankees in the 1981 World Series.

“I haven’t felt like this in a long time. When I was in the bullpen it was really hard to believe I was back,” said Valenzuela, who claims to be 32 but is believed to be older. “It meant a lot. I have the confidence that I can make it, but this gives me more.”

After the Blue Jays loaded the bases in the fifth, Valenzuela went to 3-0 on Borders fanning him. Domingo Cedeno then hit into a 4-6-3 double play.

“I used all my stuff,” Valenzuela said. “But when I’m in a tough situation, I used my best pitch.”

Which, of course, is the screwball. “It was working really well tonight,” he said.

“He’s a crafty veteran. He threw some good pitches,” Joe Carter of the Blue Jays said. “He mixed his pitches well and kept you honest.”

Before the game, Orioles manager Johnny Oates said Valenzuela wouldn’t be judged solely on his effort against the Blue Jays.

“I told him that if he goes six up and six down he’s not guaranteed a spot on the team, and if he gives up five run he’s not automatically cut,” Oates said. “We’ve got 3 1/2 weeks to look at him.”

Oates conceded that Valenzuela has lost some of the velocity on his fastball since his glory days with the Dodgers. But Oates said that won’t make a difference if Valenzuela gets batters out.

“It doesn’t matter how hard you throw the ball,” Oates said. “I’ve seen guys throw the ball 95 m.p.h. and not get anybody out. I’ve seen a lot of guys throw the ball 80 and get a lot of people out.”

Valenzuela played his first full season with the Dodgers in 1981, becoming the first player to win the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award in the same season. He was 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA during the strike-shortened 1981 season and won a game in the World Series.

He won 19 games the next year, and in 1986 enjoyed his only 20-victory season. He threw a no-hitter in 1990, and appeared in five All-Star games. His record is 141-118, all but two of the games with the Dodgers.

Valenzuela last pitched in the majors with the California Angels in 1991, making two appearances before his release on July 5. He gave up 14 hits and nine earned runs in just 6 2/3 innings.

In 1992, he pitched in the summer and winter in the Mexican League. He was a combined 17-13 with a 3.49 ERA in 37 games.

“I think that helped me a lot,” Valenzuela said. “Nobody invited to camp last year, so I decided to pitch there. I used all my stuff over there and tried to keep my arm strong.”