"I've kept track of a lot of things that have happened to him this spring and a lot of it has been on the first play of every game, or the first chance hit to him in a game. And after that, he settles down," Trembley said. "That tells me it's nerves. It's not a lack of concentration, its not a lack of ability. I didn't see that last year during the season. If he did it once, I'd like to think he could do it again. It wasn't by accident that he played like he did last year.
"He went to winter ball and there was a lot of emphasis and attention put on him. He came to camp knowing that the spotlight was on him."
At times, it's been blinding. But Hernandez said he's learned a lot this spring and is prepared for the season to start. Maybe that's when he'll shine.
"I tried to do too much, but right now for me, everything here is over," he said. "I'm ready now."
Said Trembley: "Obviously, he came in here thinking that he had to do more than what he did last year and we kept telling him he didn't have to do that. I've seen him settle down somewhat, but I'm also realistic enough to know that Fahey has played very well here, too."
Hernandez, who is out of minor league options, didn't rush his throw to first base yesterday, but the ball took off and easily cleared Moore's head.
"Sometimes, you think the out is too easy and you throw easy and the ball gets away," he said. "I know how to fix it."
Fahey hadn't played third base this spring before yesterday, and his exposure to left consisted of one inning. He made a nice backhanded stop and throw to retire Ryan Zimmerman and end the first inning. He also doubled in the second inning and is batting .255.
"Pretty much every position is the same," he said. "You just catch the ball and you throw it and try not to put too much pressure on yourself."
In Fahey's case, you also accept a utility position if it keeps you on the Opening Day roster.
"That's fine with me," he said. "Anything to help the team."
roch.kubatko@baltsun.com
