LOS ANGELES -- The book of baseball holds each of these two truths to be self-evident:

1. A pitcher returning from shoulder surgery needs a full year to rediscover his command.

2. A prospect who will turn 27 in any given season is ... well, not a prospect.

Bryan Bullington, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 amateur draft, is defying each of those in the early going with Class AAA Indianapolis, owning a 2-0 record and 1.02 ERA through his first three starts after 1 1/2 years of rehabilitation.

He has walked eight in his 17 2/3 innings and quickly run up some high pitch counts, but the good has greatly outweighed the bad.

"Oh, it's going really good, man," he said by phone from Norfolk, Va., the other day. "I've had no setbacks with the shoulder since last July, and I feel now like I'm just getting stronger with each start. Everything feels full-go."

His performance Thursday in Norfolk was typical: He allowed one unearned run in seven innings of Indianapolis' 5-2 victory, struck out two, walked three and threw 50 of 89 pitches for strikes.

"I've been really happy with my curveball, the slider's working, and my fastball's got some movement," he said. "The only problem is getting behind early in counts, then having to battle back. That's why I haven't had too many Ks."

Still and all ...

"To get off to this kind of start, it's a great feeling."

The Pirates' choice of Bullington in that draft remains criticized to this day, largely because players such as B.J. Upton, Brian McCann, Jeff Francis, Nick Swisher and Jeremy Hermida were taken after him. But, given the major-league roster's need for another right-handed starting pitcher, it hardly can be ruled out that Bullington still could become a valuable contributor for years to come.

Sometimes, the best deals ...

Remember the names of some of the free agents in the Pirates' offseason hunt for such a player?

How about Jeff Weaver? He has been kicked around for 14 runs and 17 hits in his first two starts with the Seattle Mariners. They signed him to a one-year, $8.3 million contract.

Or Jeff Suppan? He has been decent for the Milwaukee Brewers, going 2-2 with a 3.91 ERA, but doubts will persist for four years -- plus an option -- as to whether he was worth $42 million.

How about Brian Lawrence? He became Colorado's reclamation project after missing a year to shoulder surgery, but the Rockies waived him this week after an 8.69 ERA through three minor-league starts. The bill was a $250,000 buyout.

All's well for Wells in St. Louis ... so far

Kip Wells, staff ace?

Believe it.

For one, St. Louis' rotation was decimated by offseason losses, then further with Chris Carpenter's recent elbow trouble.

For another, he has pitched fairly well in his first four starts, a 3.12 ERA and four quality starts buried within a 1-3 record.

Could the Cardinals do what the Pirates could not and finally bring out his considerable potential?

"I hope so. I just think that, between the environment being a successful one and having dealt with the adversity of pitching in the environment in Pittsburgh ... that can't help but give you better opportunities. Whether or not I can take advantage of that remains to be seen, but we play good defense and get offensive support, and they do a good job of preparing pitchers ... that translates into a successful environment."

Wells said St. Louis manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan, each famous for turning around pitchers' careers, have stressed staying in the strike zone. Even if that means Wells doesn't throw as hard.

The primary knock while in Pittsburgh was that Wells would nibble, run up high pitch counts and be showering after 4²/₃.

"That's an ongoing challenge, being aggressive and attacking the strike zone. If anything, I think I've found a way to throttle back a little bit, stay within myself. My ball's going to move as it is. If you're trying to be too fine, you're going to tax yourself."

Wells was a free agent this offseason, but he never considered rejoining the Pirates.

"When they traded me, it was obvious they were looking to make an improvement somewhere else. And, if you look at their staff and their whole team, they've obviously made strides in getting better with young players. But, ultimately, in order to turn the corner, a lot of the young guys are going to become more productive, and they're going to have to spend some more money."

Take your pick: Big Country or Big Georges?

With the Stanley Cup playoffs going on, bodies flying and boards rattling, it might be fun to consider what kind of a goon Brad Eldred would have made.

Just picture him and that 6-foot-5 frame, staring down a winger in the faceoff circle, then dropping the gloves.

How would he fare?

"I think I'd do OK," he said with a grin.

Even on skates?

"Well ... OK, no chance. Even the smallest guy on the ice would probably just toy with me."

Hey, did someone call an ambulance?

Salomon Torres' latest charitable mission: Find two ambulances for his hometown of San Pedro in the Dominican Republic.

He first wants to put out the word for any donations of used vehicles, which he would pay to repair and ship by boat. If that fails, he will plan a fund-raiser.

He asks that anyone interested contact Pirates Charities through the team's main office at 412-321-BUCS.