York's Scott Grimes waits for a pitch while taking some swings in the batting cage. (John A. Pavoncello photo)

Arthritis has developed in Andy Etchebarren's hip.

The York Revolution skipper thinks it might be from back surgery he underwent more than a year ago. Plus, the aging baseball veteran is turning 69 years old in June.

Otherwise, the man players refer to as 'Etch' says he feels pretty good. It could be a different story following a 140-game schedule this season. Either way, Etchebarren believes this is his final year as the Revs' skipper.

"Right now I'd say yes. Could that change? I don't think so. It depends. I gotta do something," Etchebarren said Sunday afternoon following York's second day of spring training practice at Sovereign Bank Stadium

"I can't sit at home on the lake and just play golf or fish. I got

Left-handed starting pitcher Ryan Feierabend is one of the Revs most recent additions. (John A. Pavoncello photo)
very bored this year and that was almost 61/2 months," he said.

After his brief thoughts about a possible retirement, Etchebarren quickly moved back to the task at hand.

"We'll talk about that later. Right now, my concern is trying to get this team the best we can get it. Forget about the last two years. It's all in the past," he said.

The task at hand is putting a team on the field that can win a third consecutive Atlantic League championship, something no team has ever done.

Like any season, the Revs' current roster will likely look much different by the end of the year. So, Etchebarren feels confident in York's roster as it stands now.

He likes the lineup, despite the lack of left-handed bats.

"I'm not concerned with that, not with the (left-field) wall here," Etchebarren said.

And he feels even more positive about the team's pitching.

"I'm very enthusiastic. Not only with the starting rotation but with the bullpen," he said. "The bullpen is going to be the best bullpen we've ever had."

The team's most recent additions included left-handed starting pitcher Ryan Feierabend, second baseman Andres Perez and 6-foot, 7-inch right-handed reliever Stephen Penney.

Feierabend,

Right-hander Omar Javier fires a pitch during Sunday's workout in York. (John A. Pavoncello photo)
26, last played in the majors with the Seattle Mariners in 2008. But Tommy John surgery in 2009 derailed his career and he's spent the last couple seasons pitching at Class AAA for the Mariners and Philadelphia Phillies.

Feierabend will join a solid rotation that already includes workhorse Corey Thurman, left-hander Chris Cody, right-hander Omar Javier and left-hander Jesus Sanchez.

The team also just added right-handed reliever Adam Thomas, who collected 17 saves and posted a 1.73 ERA in 56 games for the Atlantic League's all-travel Road Warriors last season. That should help a bullpen that already has a closer in R.J. Rodriguez, who went 3-3 with a 3.61 ERA and had 10 saves for York a year ago.

On paper, the Revs look

Several York Revolution players, including starting pitcher Corey Thurman, left, stretch in the outfield before Sunday's practice at Sovereign Bank Stadium. (John A. Pavoncello photo)
to have the right pieces in place to help 'Etch' go out on top this season, something he says won't play a role in a possible retirement.

"That's not going to make a difference. We've done a good job here," he said. "Nobody has done a better job than we have the last two years in this league."

-- Reach John Walk at 505-5406 or jwalk@york dispatch.com or follow on Twitter @JohnKWalk.