Gameday: March 21 at Angels

While Braden Looper works a Triple-A game, the A-team Brewers travel to Tempe to take on the Angels. As expected, Tony Gwynn Jr. will get his first start in the outfield today:

Jason Kendall  C
Tony Gwynn Jr.  CF
Corey Hart  RF
Prince Fielder  1B
Bill Hall  3B
Brad Nelson  LF
Casey McGehee  2B
Mike Lamb  DH
Alcides Escobar  SS

Right-hander Dave Bush will start for Milwaukee, and there was a bit of news about Bush today from manager Ken Macha, who is planning to pair Bush with Kendall’s back-up, Mike Rivera, to start the season. It’s a move to rest Kendall a bit more often this season, and is based on the small sample of success for Bush while Rivera is behind the plate.

David Riske, Jorge Julio and Wes Littleton are scheduled to work an inning apiece behind Bush, who is slated for six innings or 90 pitches.

In other morning notes:

- Trevor Hoffman (oblique) played catch the past two days and has today off. He will be evaluated again on Sunday.

- Catcher Angel Salome was cleared to take some “dry swings” on Saturday but he’s still out with a stiff back.

- Outfielder Chris Duffy returned to camp after missing part of Thursday and all of Friday with a stomach ailment. He took batting practice and should be available to play again on Sunday.

- Carlos Villanueva was originally penciled in to start Sunday against the Giants but instead Mark DiFelice will start and Villanueva will work in relief. The Brewers are trying to stretch Villanueva out a bit to sharpen him up.