"It took longer than I would have liked to get there (last season)," Bush said.

Eligible for salary arbitration for the second year, Bush came to terms Thursday with the Brewers on a one-year deal for $4 million. He earned $2.55 million last year while going 9-10 with a 4.18 earned run average in 31 games (29 starts).

Trying to incorporate some changes into his delivery and pitching scheme with which he wasn't comfortable, Bush stumbled out of the gate, going 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in his first four starts. He was demoted to Class AAA Nashville to work out the kinks but made only one start before being recalled to replace Yovani Gallardo, who suffered a significant knee injury.

Over his last 18 appearances (17 starts), Bush went 7-3 with a 3.23 ERA, including a 4-0 mark and 2.12 ERA in five starts in August. He finished the season with a 1.14 WHIP (walks and hits per inning), the fifth-best mark in the National League.

With Manny Parra faltering, Ben Sheets ailing with an elbow injury and Gallardo yet to return, Bush was a key figure down the stretch as the Brewers scrambled to claim their first playoff berth in 26 years. He started once on short rest and pitched three innings out of the bullpen in the season-ending series against Chicago.

Bush, 29, recorded the Brewers' lone victory in the division series against Philadelphia, allowing one run in 5 1/3 innings in Game 3 at Miller Park.

"It was nice to finish on an up note," said Bush when reached at home in Maine. "There were some ups and downs along the way but I still maintained confidence that I'd find a groove at some point and stick with it.

"I had to get past some things that weren't working for me and it was a more difficult battle than I had hoped for. I know what works for me and I finally got back to that. Once I got there, I felt more relaxed."

As it stands now, Bush is one of only five starting pitchers who figures to break spring training with the team. The others are Gallardo, Parra, Jeff Suppan and Seth McClung.

Last spring, eight starting candidates reported to camp and Bush was forced to win a spot in the rotation.

"Last year we had too many but that worked itself out pretty quickly," said Bush, who is 33-31 with a 4.57 ERA in three seasons with the Brewers. "In the end, we were looking for pitchers.

"If this is the five we're going with, then great. We'll make it work. But you never know what's going to happen."

The Brewers have four players remaining in arbitration - first baseman Prince Fielder, second baseman Rickie Weeks, rightfielder Corey Hart and right-hander Seth McClung. Arbitration-eligible players still unsigned on Tuesday will exchange salary figures with their clubs to set up possible hearings.

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