PHOENIX -- Jered Weaver got roughed up for two runs in 1 2/3rds innings Saturday in his spring debut against the A's, but please draw as few conclusions as possible from those results.

"What were my expectations?" Weaver said with a laugh. "That I was going to get the ball over the plate."

Weaver was scheduled to throw between 30-35 pitches Saturday and work mostly on locating his fastball and change-up. He ended up facing 10 batters, giving up three hits and two earned runs before coming out with two outs in the second inning of a game against Oakland.

"I'm just trying to go out there and feel the rhythm of the game again, pitching with runners on, having an umpire behind the plate,'' he said. "Just getting that timing of being in a game, getting back into the flow.''

This more mellow approach to spring training marks a personal evolution for Weaver, who is trying to find the right middle ground after he came out (too) hard in Spring Training two years ago, then waited a little too long to get going in the spring last year.

This year he said he took a month off after the season and got completely away from the game. Then around New Year's he started throwing again.

"I started playing catch a bit sooner than I normally would because I'm usually coming into spring with a little tightness in by biceps, so I activated a little sooner hoping to knock the stiffness out," he said.

"I feel good now, strong. Every year is a learning experience for me. It's just a matter of figuring out the right program to get ready for spring."

--Ramona Shelburne