Ben Sheets Smooth in A's Spring Debut

PHOENIX -- For all the brave talk about how good Ben Sheets felt and how he looked in January, there was still some anxiety over what might happen on Friday.

Sheets pitched competitively for the first time since 2008. Coincidentally, the new A's right-hander did so against the only team he had ever known in his big-league career -- the Brewers.

"I was a little nervous," Sheets said after his outing. "Seventeen months since I last faced a batter. I ain't gonna lie. I was nervous out there. Once I got in I felt pretty good. The batter kind of eases your mind and makes you realize you've got to go after it."

Sheets, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon, threw 32 pitches in 1 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs on three hits -- one of which could have been ruled an error. He struck out one and did not walk a batter.

His analysis: "I felt great. I really did."

The A's have already penciled in Sheets to start for them on Opening Day, April 5, against the Mariners. His first unofficial outing in an A's uniform had a little extra spice because he was facing Milwaukee.

Sheets said he had no hard feelings toward the Brewers for failing to re-sign him following the 2008 season, when he hurt his elbow.

"Y'all created the story that there was bad blood," he said. "There was zero bad blood."

Sheets did concede that he wasn't happy that there was an issue over whether the Brewers should pay for his surgery after his contract expired. Sheets said the situation was eventually resolved, but he has "15 feet" of paperwork regarding the matter.

"That whole situation was not handled as good as it could be," Sheets said.