Jim Goulart

It's a rite of spring -- MiLB.com indicates that veteran catcher Patrick Arlis has been assigned to Helena from Nashville. There will be additional tweaking of all the lineups today and tomorrow to pare them to the 24 (AAA/AA) and 25 (A+/A) man roster limits.

Apparently not...

WSSP 04/05/2011 Brewer catcher Jonathan Lucroy talks about his rehab in Florida Nice interview, Lucroy's going to be a nice listen all season. Lucroy taking part in scrimmages between Brevard and Huntsville before heading to Jacksonville, where he'll catch through this weekend for the Stars. Plus he enjoyed a couple of nights with home cookin'! Listen in...

We'll do our best to archive WSSP audio at the tail end of these game threads in 2011 -- WSSP Clubhouse Post-Game Audio: 04/05/11 - Manager Ron Roenicke's post-game comments 04/05/11 - Tim, Sparky, and Gary talk with Nyjer Morgan -- Fun interview! 04/05/11 - Ryan Braun 04/05/11 - Yovani Gallardo 04/05/11 - Nyjer Morgan (with pool reporters)

Timber Rattlers pitcher Austin Ross has priorities straightMike Woods, Appleton Post-Crescent Whichever path Austin Ross' life takes from here, the one thing you can be certain of is he will land on his feet. Without a wobble. On Thursday, he will take the mound as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' Opening Day starter against Kane County on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. If he experiences success, he won't be overcome, for he has had his share and knows what to do with it when it drops into his lap. If he experiences failure, he won't be daunted, for he has traveled that road as well, held up for public scrutiny by a rabid fan base. And if for some reason this whole baseball gig falls short of expectations, he'll just go back to LSU and finish off his degree in petroleum engineering — where he made the SEC academic honor roll for three straight years — and leave his mark on the world that way. In any case, this 22-year-old Louisiana native knows he's in a good place — even though it's early April in Wisconsin. "I've definitely got that back-of-my-mind comfort if, for whatever reason, baseball doesn't work out. I don't see it not working out, but the reality is it's tough. You're fighting an uphill battle," Ross said, "so it's definitely comforting to know that I have something to fall back on." He also has a fallback plan when he takes the mound, which only adds to his comfort zone. "When you come into the A ball level, you need to do a couple of things. You need to have fastball command, and that's the thing he does the best," Rattlers pitching coach Chris Hook said. "And once you do that at A ball level and then you can command an off-speed pitch, which he can also do, I think that just gives you a calming influence out there on the mound. When he pitches, he has a good idea and throws all three pitches for strikes." Ross' life experiences have undoubtedly prepared him for this moment, starting when, as a high school junior, he led his team to the Louisiana Class 4A state title. He was named the state's pitcher of the year the following season and then headed off to LSU, where in 2009 he helped the Tigers capture the College World Series title. "I think I've gone through a lot of stuff that some guys probably did not have the opportunity to go through and I'm thankful," Ross said. "I think it's helped me a lot as a pitcher and to mature a lot and there've been situations that I've been put in over the past three years that are priceless — you couldn't experience them anywhere else — and I think I've grown as a pitcher because of that." Thursday's start will be a big stage in terms of career development. But it won't compare to the stage he was on in college, where there were many more eyeballs and far greater interest. "Like we'd come out Thursday for practice and there'd be 10 to 20 media people out there, newspapers and TV, especially the day before you start, interviews and stuff," Ross said. "Have about 10,000 people at every game. You were put on the biggest stage at that point, every game pretty much. "You were criticized if you did bad. Everyone was your biggest fan if you were doing well, and if not, it was in the paper that they need to change something and you were the reason why. So you learn not let things affect you." The Brewers selected him in the eighth round of last June's free agent draft, but he said the decision to leave school was not that easy. "I enjoyed school. I like LSU and valued my education but just felt as a career choice it was probably the best thing to do," he said. "I don't even think it was about money but more the opportunity I saw with the Brewers. "It's all about trying to make to the big leagues and see how long you can stay there and I just felt like coming out then was my best opportunity to advance and get there and, hopefully, have a long career in the big leagues." The Brewers hope that is the case as well. "Hopefully for him, if he can (throw all three pitches for strikes) early on, and pitch well he won't be in A ball very long," Hook said. Which means other suitors that could also use his talents — take BP, for example — will just have to wait their turns.

Sounds pitcher looks to Milwaukee Sounds pitcher works to earn his way to Milwaukee by Greg Sullivan, The Tennessean With memories of his first big-league experience still fresh in his mind, Sounds starter Mark Rogers said he is ready to earn a permanent spot with the Milwaukee Brewers this season. But in the interim, Nashville figures to benefit. "I'll try and help the Sounds win every fifth day for now," said Rogers, who likely will pitch in the second game of the season Friday at Greer Stadium against New Orleans. "That's my goal at this point and I'm excited about coming to Nashville." Named the Brewers' top prospect by Baseball America, Rogers got a surprise September call-up to Milwaukee after spending most of his career battling injuries and laboring in the low minors. He had a 1.80 ERA over 10 innings, which included two starts among his four games. Drafted fifth overall in 2004, the 25-year-old right-hander is more seasoned than most top prospects. So while he doesn't mind the recognition he's gotten coming into this season, he understands the expectations that come with it. "With those accolades come responsibility," Rogers said. "You still have to keep grinding. I'm still going to have to earn everything I get." Sounds Manager Don Money welcomes that sort of attitude. "He did good in September with Milwaukee," Money said. "He's got to come to Triple-A and show the folks in Milwaukee he's ready to go back. He's got to step up and get the job done. Now it's up to him." Rogers will begin a season at Triple-A for the first time, but there was a time when that seemed unlikely. He missed the entire 2007 and 2008 seasons recovering from a pair of shoulder surgeries. "(The Brewers) have definitely been good to me," Rogers said. "They gave me a second chance. Now I have to go there and make the most of it." Rogers spent the majority of last season at Double-A Huntsville, where he was 6-8 with a 3.71 ERA in 24 starts. He did come up to Nashville for one spot start in the middle of last season, an outing he remembers fondly. "We ended up winning the game, but I got a no-decision," Rogers said. "The atmosphere was good. That's what stuck out to me." Having grown up in Maine, Rogers appreciates the warmer weather, and he feels somewhat at home because he has an aunt who lives not too far outside Nashville. Now he's just ready to pitch. "I still have the same approach," Rogers said. "I stick with my fastball. I'm a power pitcher. I have to have that attitude." Just knowing he is now just one step from the majors, Rogers also said he now doesn't mind that he gave up what looked like promising careers in hockey and soccer. Out of high school, he had a soccer scholarship offer from Duke and was recruited to play hockey for Dartmouth. "I love (baseball). It's given so much to me and my family," Rogers said. "Hopefully, I will get to play a long time." Mark Rogers, who pitched for the Huntsville Stars in 2010, will open the 2011 season with the Sounds. / Huntsville Times / File Photo http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20110406&Category=SPORTS04&ArtNo=104060349&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0

McCalvy tweet: Amaury Rivas is the scheduled Opening Day starter for Nashville on Thursday. Mark Rogers slated to start Friday.

Any info on the D'Vontrey Richardson injury? Before yet another asks, sorry, no. You know we don't hold out info, so when we (or someone else) knows, it'll be posted here.

It didn't take long for LHP Brandon Ritchie to find a home -- the just-released Ritchie signed with the Evansville (IN) Otters of the independent Frontier League. Never-say-die LHP Lindsay Gulin, now 34, returned from a 2010 season in China to sign with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the independent American Association.

Roenicke already stated that Kotsay will be in RF becuase he "matches up well" with Lowe (he's 3-for-9 lifetime in a sample that means about 67% less than Morgan's). It has to be a day off for Carlos.

Nyjer Morgan is hitting 15-for-28 (.536!) against Derek Lowe. If he's not playing CF against Lowe Tuesday night, Ron Roenicke will have lost me already.

The Brewers would have to play .570 baseball the rest of the way to get to 90 wins. Just keep digging that hole, boys -- terrible.

The Manatees are waiting for the green light from the Brewers on this. Come on Reid, free the press release!

I paid $99 apiece for Brewers - Sox tickets for two games in June. If neither team has won by then, I'm going to be pretty steamed. (By the way, I openly root against the Sox.)

Thank goodness they all like their manager. It was the bestest spring training ever!!!!!

Adam: General manager Doug Melvin said the Brewers and Blue Jays would probably finalize the Carlos Villanueva trade next week. The Brewers sent Villanueva, a reliever, to Toronto on Dec. 3 for a player to be named later or cash. Melvin said the Brewers would probably opt for cash, but, "we'll take a look at it and see." The Brewers were considering non-tendering Villanueva when they found a last-minute trade partner in Toronto.

On the bright side, the Brewers are going to miss Tim Hudson this week.

More traditional boxscore. You're welcome.

Sessile at the game -- tweet update

Can you differentiate the starting lineup for the two teams? Neither could I. But there are your 20 starters for Saturday's game. Love for unheralded Nick Shaw and Reggie Keen, nice. Tickets for the game are on sale now for $10 for all reserved seating and may be purchased at the Miller Park ticket office, by calling the Brewers Ticket office at 414-902-4000, or online at brewers.com/risingstars. Parking is $8 per car and the parking lots will open at noon. The Miller Park gates will open two hours prior to first pitch (1:10 p.m.). Going to the game? Big leaguers don't play until evening so you won't miss a pitch. Play the role of scout and post your thoughts here for us...

Nashville Sounds announce roster for 2011 season Thursday will be season opener Greg Sullivan, The Tennessean Don Money begins his third year as Nashville Sounds manager planning on having success with strong pitching, particularly from the bullpen. The Milwaukee Brewers' Triple-A franchise opens the season with an eight-game home stand beginning Thursday against New Orleans at 7:05 PM. "We'd better play defense and pitch," Money said. "I think our bullpen will be very good and hopefully our starting pitching will be strong, too." According to Baseball America, Mark Rogers is the Brewers' top prospect. Money said he expects Rogers to get the opening-night start on the mound. The Brewers' first-round pick in 2004 was 6-8 with a 3.71 ERA in 111.2 innings at Double-A Huntsville in 2010. He made one start with the Sounds and allowed one run in 4 1/3 innings. It is conceivable that the rotation could be bolstered, at least temporarily, if the Brewers decide to have 2009 Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke rehab in Nashville at some point. There is just one left-hander in the bullpen — closer candidate Chase Wright — but Money said he doesn't foresee that causing too many matchup problems. "You don't just take a lefty to have a lefty," Money said. "You take a lefty that can get an out." The Sounds may need a strong defense, too, because the lineup may not have as much power. "I don't think we're going to win too many slugfests," Money said. "I think our defense should be pretty good." Brendan Katin, who tied for the team lead last year with 26 homers, will be a backup outfielder, pinch-hitter and designated hitter because of nagging knee troubles, Money said. The team lost last year's other top power hitter, Joe Koshansky, to free agency. So when Katin is not in the game, Money said the team will lack a true cleanup hitter. Money does, however, expect big things from Mat Gamel, who is being converted to a first baseman after playing primarily third base and outfield. He's hit .293 in 162 games with 25 homers and 118 RBIs with the Sounds over the last three seasons. In 75 games with Milwaukee, he is hitting .241 with five homers and 21 RBIs. Money said Gamel and Katin are each capable of hitting between 15 and 25 home runs. Outfielder Caleb Gindl, who is 5-foot-9 and hit .272 at Huntsville in 2010, is expected to be the leadoff hitter, but could see days off when the team faces a tough lefty. *** Wright closer candidate? And Katin's knee (or knees) is/are barking...

FYI, the Sounds remind me -- Triple-A baseball did away with the fluctuating 24/23 roster limit rules several years ago. Nashville’s roster will stand at maximum 24 active players throughout the entire season. AA's should be the same. Now if I can only remember that for next year.

Just a reminder we'll have the usual time frame for kicking off a brand new Alumni thread with updated links -- mid-to-late April.

As per Baseball America -- Reliever Omar Aguilar (career stats), who was dealt to Cleveland in the Chuck Lofgren deal last spring, was released by the Indians. Just 26 years old yesterday, he can still strike batters out and limit base hits. LHP Edwin Walker, at the time a high schooler in 2002 when drafted in the 9th round by Milwaukee, was released by Houston. His tale of perseverence here. Not an alumni, but the Angels released this 30-year-old journeyman pitcher. The Brewers should consider bringing him on board. Plus, he's Canadian. Again, not an alumni, but the Twins released this LHP. The Brewers should sign him, in order to have a glut of Brett Carroll's.

We should also note that each affiliate is at the mercy of MiLB.com when it comes to updating the MiLB.com roster pages. It wouldn't be surprising to not see those updated until Opening Day next Thursday, which was the case last year.