Jim Goulart

Bases loaded, no outs -- no problem! Narveson gets out of it -- no Soup for us! http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ba_m_ltcWV-IUM:http://www.bullsonwallstreet.com/blog/sein_soup_nazi.jpg

No, afraid not. Three K's for Chris through two scoreless, he's completely got the Angels swinging with awkward hacks, including right-handed batters. Make it happen, Chris!

Tom H.'s blog: Ken Macha said he's been impressed with the play of outfielder Adam Stern this spring and indicated Stern might be the first guy up from the minors if an outfielder is needed.

Lisa Winston of MiLB.com with a Brewers Organizational Preview (boy, are a bunch of folks going to look silly if Kentrail Davis somehow falls flat) and a Top Brewer prospects to watch article

ON THE MOUND: Also scheduled to pitch today (subject to change) is LHP Manny Parra, RHP LaTroy Hawkins and LHP Mitch Stetter. MINOR DETAILS: In uniform from minor-league camp is C Ben Johnson (#98), 2B Brett Lawrie (#94), OF Erik Miller (#96), INF Sergio Miranda (#91), INF Ray Olmedo (#93), OF Chad Stang (#97), INF Zelous Wheeler (#90), LHP Casey Baron (#99) and RHP Robert Hinton (#93).

Wonder if the Brewers realized on their own they needed to void Butler's option (he once again has all three, although surely one will be used once he's healthy), or if Butler's agent appealed the option, and said get my player back on the 25-man DL with both its salary and service time implications. Good for the agent if so.

One note on Rafael Lluberes, eight years in the system, and not a single one at the AA level or above, no seasons lost to injury. That's survival and potential (over time)...

The following players have been released by the Brewers -- we wish each of them well. LHP Rafael Lluberes deserves first mention. As we noted earlier this spring, Lluberes has pitched in the system since he was a 17-year-old for the Brewers' 2002 (and then 2003) Dominican Summer League squads. We think of him as a LOOGY based on 77 Brevard County appearances over the last two years, but 39 of his 56 appearances in 2006 and 2007 were starts. INF Shane Justis was picked up from the Dodgers' organization in the minor league Rule 5 draft prior to the 2009 season. Having just turned 27 in March, he may have had an opportunity in Nashville this coming season, but the apparent decision to push Brett Lawrie to AA and Eric Farris to AAA (decisions that make plenty of sense, by the way), left Justis outside looking in. RH reliever Juan Sandoval had quite the background, as we mentioned (link) when he was first acquired in minor league Rule 5 from Seattle in December 2007. He was a Timber Rattler in 2003 with the Mariners. He made 94 appearances for the Brewers, 87 in Huntsville, seven in Nashville. The Dominican native turned 29 in January. Catcher Derrick Alfonso was selected in the 2008 draft, in the 26th round out of the University of Louisville. If you've read all our threads here on the Minor League forum, you know that he had at least one very ardent fan from his college days who would defend him in various threads here. Alfonso will be 25 years old in July. There is a long list of college catchers who have been drafted or signed as free agents by the Brewers this decade who have barely sniffed advanced A-ball. It seems as though the organization needs the bodies to handle all the rookie level arms, but few of these "veteran" rookies get a real chance to advance. It's a fact of organizational life, but Alfonso should know he's not the first to be in his shoes. RH reliever Brandon Rapoza was drafted in the 31st round of the 2008 draft out of Flagler (FL) University. This upcoming season would be his age 24 season, and considering the success (statistically) he had at Brevard County in 2009 (2.13 ERA in 41 appearances, 67.2 IP, 61 H, 19 BB, 46 K), he would not have been "old" if he had made it to AA for 2010. He struggled in Monday's spring training game (you'll see the box score later today), but it just goes to show that these young men are given opportunities right up until literally decision day. Not a name we might have expected to see on this list... *** Those are the releases we're aware of for today, that may or may not mean the Brewers are done for the week. We'll have to see...

Sky's the limit for GW's Mike Antonio; Shortstop expected to be highest high-school pick from NYC in several years The article mentions Angel Salome as a 4th round pick, actually 5th...

CHAT ROOM, CHAT ROOM, CHAT ROOM Box score here Free web audiocast, Angels video feed for subscribers via MLB.com here That's sweet for those who want to see Chris Narveson's outing today! Gameday can be found here.

Link while active, text follows: Mt. Ararat's Rogers returns to Double-A Pitching prospect says he’s healthy, ready to prove himself to Brewers Kennebec (Maine) Journal 2010 could be the year Mark Rogers lives up to the promise the Milwaukee Brewers saw in him when they made the Mt. Ararat High School graduate their first-round pick in the 2004 major league baseball draft. Completely recovered from shoulder injuries that kept him out of action for three of his first six years in professional baseball, Rogers -- a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher from Orr's Island -- will start the season with the Huntsville Stars in the Double-A Southern League. "I feel healthy," said Rogers, in a recent telephone interview. "I can honestly say every time I take the mound, every time I have a ball in my hand, I feel good. I feel comfortable throwing it, and I don't worry about my arm." Neither are the Brewers. "We're going to let him go a little bit this year and stretch him out," said Reid Nichols, Director of Player Development for Brewers. "Hopefully, we can get him five innings every outing and be on a five-man rotation." After spending the previous two full seasons recovering from shoulder surgery, Rogers was held to a strict pitch count last summer while with the Class A Brevard County Manatees in the Florida State League, compiling a 1.67 earned run average in 22 starts. Last season, once he reached his limit, Rogers often would be taken out of the game in the middle of inning. The season, there will be no such restrictions. "We're shooting for 75 to 80 pitches an outing," said Nichols, a former Boston Red Sox outfielder. "I think we were keeping him to 50 pitches (per game) last season." Rogers, 24, spent the first two weeks of this spring training in Milwaukee's major league camp in Marysville, Ari. During two two-inning stints with the Brewers, he allowed a total of three hits and one unearned run with three strikeouts and two walks. "He throws four pitches," Nichols said. "Besides his fastball, he's got the good curveball, and he's been working on that little cutter slider." Rogers has consistently thrown his fastball in the 95-97 mile-per-hour range, and he has a changeup to complement it. In his two appearances since moving to Milwaukee's minor league camp, Rogers has allowed one earned run in seven innings while averaging 51.5 pitches per outing. "I think this spring has been outstanding for him," Nichols said. "I can see a complete difference in his countenance. He's upbeat. I think he feels like he's got something done now. His shoulder feels good. He's a very happy camper now." For the first time since 2006, Rogers said he can focus entirely on his pitching and not just on the health of his right shoulder. "We've been working on my delivery, and it's significantly better," he said. "It's clean. I work on it, day in and day out. I feel I can repeat my mechanics consistently. I feel I'm at the point where I won't be held back by injury. I'll just worry about executing pitches. Everything is second nature now." Rogers' medical problems began during the 2006 season when he injured his right shoulder while at Brevard County. On Jan. 12, 2007, Rogers underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum and to tighten a loose ligament in his right shoulder. About 18 months later, after sitting out the 2007 season, he had surgery to remove scar tissue, which forced him to miss the 2008 season as well. "The farther I get away from that surgery date, the better I feel," he said. At Huntsville, Rogers will reunite with pitching coach John Curtis, the former Red Sox hurler who helped the young pitcher switch to a more compact delivery at West Virginia five years ago. "In my personal opinion, John Curtis is one of the best pitching coaches you will find anywhere, and I'm excited to work with him again," Rogers said. "We have good plans for what we want to accomplish this year." Most of all, Rogers intends to work on his consistency. "I figure if I am healthy and consistent than I can pitch well," he said. "In turn, I'll hopefully will be rewarded for that. I can only control what I can control." At this stage of Rogers' career, the Brewers seem content to wait a little longer for him to get ready to move up to the top rung of the baseball ladder. "Mark is at a point where he knows what he needs to do, so it's just fine-tuning now," Nichols said. "It was over-hauling before. Now, it's fine-tuning."

Rotoworld update on Joe Thatcher

Rotoworld update on Joe Thatcher

You're mistaken, multi-year deals are guaranteed, and Suppan's service time obviously allows him to refuse the assignment and walk back to Soup's Grill.

From Tom at the J-S: First baseman Joe Koshansky, who replaced Prince Fielder in Monday's game, homered and singled in two at-bats, then was returned to the minor-league camp after the game. At least he went out with a blast. Apologies to those looking for something more meaty within this post. Patience...

Here's hoping Narveson sleeps well tonight. The dude has been ice since September 1st, so I don't see why he wouldn't. I honestly think if he comes out and throws six or seven innings with two or less runs allowed and looks sharp, the Brewers will blow our minds and give him the rotation chance he deserves. Go Chris!

Adam McCalvy: Left fielder Ryan Braun is out of the lineup again with tightness in his back. Brewers athletic trainers are trying to eliminate the problem before the start of the season. Catcher Gregg Zaun has a very minor quadriceps issue so George Kottaras is handling catching duties today against the Giants. Slumping right fielder Corey Hart is also out of the lineup and will spend the day in the batting cage. ON THE MOUND: Also scheduled to pitch today (subject to change) is RHP LaTroy Hawkins, RHP Todd Coffey and RHP Trevor Hoffman. MINOR DETAILS: In uniform from minor-league camp is INF Eric Farris (#90), OF Erik Miller (#96), INF Ray Olmedo (#93), C Sean McCraw (#91), OF Chad Stang (#97), LHP Zach Braddock (#70) and RHP Dave Johnson (#98). CHAT ROOM, CHAT ROOM, CHAT ROOM Box score here It's a WTMJ game; audio subscribers can listen online here Gameday can be found here.

Wisconsin whipped Dayton, 9-2. The Timber Rattlers collected 14 hits, including six of the extra-base hit variety. Peter Fatse had three hits to lead the charge. Damon Krestalude and Jake Odorizzi each threw five innings while allowing only a run apiece. *** Six extra-base hits including D'Vontrey Richardson's triple and double; Krestalude and Odorizzi are just toying with batters right now -- save some for the regular season, boys! R H E Dayton 2 7 2 Wisconsin 9 14 1 WISCONSIN AB R H BI Richardson 2 1 2 1 Krieger 2 0 0 0 DavisKh 4 2 2 2 Zarraga 1 1 1 0 Garfield 4 0 0 0 RobertsM 2 0 1 1 Dean 1 0 0 0 Dennis 4 1 1 1 Paciorek 4 1 1 0 Dykstra 4 1 1 1 Fatse 3 2 3 1 Dhanani 4 0 2 1 Romero 3 0 0 1 2B: Richardson, Paciorek 3B: Richardson, Fatse HR: DavisKh, Dennis SB: DavisKh CS: Dhanani, Romero, Fatse SF: Romero IP H R ER BB SO TP Krestalude 5 3 1 1 3 3 65 Odorizzi 5 4 1 1 0 7 61

Brevard County doubled up Lynchburg, 6-3. Nine different Manatees collected a hit to provide a balanced attack offensively. Brae Wright, Daniel Meadows, Andrew Sauter, and Brandon Ritchie each had scoreless outings. *** Trey Watten followed starter Brae Wright's single inning -- Wright still working his way back from Tommy John surgery... R H E Lynchburg 3 11 0 Brevard County 6 10 1 BREVARD CO AB R H BI Garvey 5 0 2 1 Miranda 2 0 0 0 Lind 3 0 1 0 Gindl 2 0 0 0 Miller 3 1 1 0 Kjeldgaard 2 1 1 0 Walla 4 1 1 0 Sanchez 3 1 1 2 Sizemore 3 1 1 0 Alfonso 2 0 0 0 Pechek 1 0 0 1 Marseco 2 0 1 1 Gennett 2 1 1 0 2B: Kjeldgaard, Miller Bitmap 3B: Gennett, Marseco, Walla SF: Pechek Bitmap IP H R ER BB SO TP Bitmap WrightB 1 1 0 0 0 1 8 Watten 4 6 3 3 0 3 56 Meadows 2 1 0 0 0 2 27 Sauter 1 0 0 0 0 1 10 Ritchie 2 3 0 0 0 1 29

Carolina defeated Huntsville, 7-1. Steffan Wilson was 2-for-3 with a double and a triple. Chris Errecart and Anderson De La Rosa chipped in with two hits apiece. Mike Burns got the start for the Stars and was saddled with the loss, allowing three runs on six hits in four innings of work. *** Evan Anundsen two unearned runs allowed in his 3.2 innings, which is far more important than how Mike Burns fared. The Brett Lawrie watch continues... R H E Huntsville 1 6 3 Carolina 7 12 1 HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI Brewer 4 0 0 0 Errecart 4 1 2 0 Lucroy 3 0 0 0 Wilson 3 0 2 0 Cequea 1 0 0 0 Caufield 3 0 0 0 Cline 3 0 0 0 De La Rosa 3 0 2 0 Garcia 4 0 0 0 Stang 3 0 0 0 2B: Wilson, De La Rosa, Errecart 3B: Wilson IP H R ER BB SO TP Burns 4 6 3 3 0 3 66 Anundsen 3.2 3 2 0 1 1 60 Lluberes 0.2 3 2 2 0 0 16

All action from these four Sunday box scores is vs. Reds' organization squads -- Nashville squeaked by Louisville, 4-3. Tike Redman's three-run double was the difference in the game for the Sounds. Chuck Lofgren started and gave up a run on a hit through four innings. A.J. Murray closed it out by tossing two scoreless frames. Give credit to Lofgren, Murray, and Mike Jones -- no unearned runs despite four Sounds errors. *** Having Eric Farris and Lorenzo Cain near the top of the AAA lineup should be fun to watch. Angel Salome is hitting 7th here, but let him focus on his defense and he'll still get his AB's. LHP Lofgren back on the AAA squad after a AA appearance last week... R H E Nashville 4 9 4 Louisville 3 6 0 NASHVILLE AB R H BI Oeltjen 4 0 1 0 Farris 3 0 0 0 Cruz 1 0 0 0 Cain 3 1 1 0 Almonte 4 1 1 0 Katin 4 0 0 0 Heether 2 2 1 0 Justis 1 0 1 0 Salome 3 0 1 1 Hopf 1 0 0 0 Redman 3 0 1 3 Raburn 3 0 2 0 2B: Heether, Redman Bitmap Bitmap Bitmap IP H R ER BB SO TP Lofgren 4 1 1 1 0 2 50 Jones 3 5 2 2 0 4 54 Murray 2 0 0 0 1 1 23

Jim over at Bernie's Crew with some player projections in various "award" categories...

Followup from the same site -- Gallardo, Garza, Cueto, or Jurrjens?

One of the better recap write-ups out there...

ON THE MOUND: Also scheduled to pitch today (subject to change) is RHP Carlos Villanueva and LHP Mitch Stetter. MINOR DETAILS: In uniform from minor-league camp is OF Kentrail Davis (#96), OF Lee Haydel (#91), INF Ray Olmedo (#93), C Austin Stockfisch (#98), RHP Mike McClendon (#99) and LHP Caleb Theilbar (#97).