Don Cooper likes Phil Humber and wants him to add a cutter

Could Phil Humber be the 5th starter if Jake Peavy isn’t ready on the start of the season?

‘‘I kind of like what Humber’s doing,’’ Cooper said. “My thing is, give us the ammunition that we need to keep you around. If you attack the strike zone, if you get ahead, that’s the ammo. If you’re not — well, sorry.’’

‘‘I’m really happy with what I’m seeing,’’ Cooper said. ‘‘But what often happens with the young guys is they look good now, but when . . . hitters step in there, all of a sudden they get distracted.’’

… Cooper also wants Humber to tinker with a cut fastball.

‘‘Something I’m kind of working on,’’ Humber said.