Lineups for Cactus League openers
In bench coach Jerry Narron’s fancy script, the lineups for the Brewers’ split-squad Cactus League openers were posted on a clubhouse bulletin board Sunday morning. Here’s a look:
Home vs. Giants
Rickie Weeks 2B
Jeremy Reed RF
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Prince Fielder 1B
Casey McGehee 3B
Brandon Boggs LF
Grorge Kottaras C
Chris Dickerson CF
Brendan Katin DH
Shaun Marcum RHP
at Mesa vs. Cubs
Carlos Gomez CF
Craig Counsell SS
Ryan Braun LF
Mark Kotsay 1B
Luis Cruz 2B
Wil Nieves C
Erick Almonte DH
Caleb Gindl RF
Zelous Wheeler 3B
Tim Dillard RHP
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You’ll notice that right fielder Corey Hart is not in either game. He will visit with a team doctor on Monday after tweaking a muscle along his ribcage in throwing drills Saturday. Hart said he had no bruising a day later — a good sign, since bruises would indicate tearing of muscles — but planned to take it easy until a diagnosis from the doctor.
The Brewers are planning to use the same lineups, minus the starting pitchers, in a very brief intrasquad game today at about 11 a.m. local time.
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You’ll also notice the designated hitter, something Roenicke intends to use into the second week of March. Roenicke followed protocol by calling Cubs manager Mike Quade and asking whether the Brewers could employ the DH; Quade approved.
“We probably won’t use the pitchers hitting for the first 10 days,” Roenicke said. “Then we may pick who we want going out there and hitting. Once they get out there extended, get to five innings or so, there’s going to be two at-bats there, so then we’ll start thinking about [hitting].”
Pitchers will throw about 35 pitches in their first Cactus League outings. The important part is staying healthy. Results are irrelevant, Roenicke said.
“Especially our starters that we know — we don’t really need to evaluate much until we start getting halfway through March,” Roenicke said. “Then you’re looking at where they are. The relievers, maybe not fair to them, their first outings, you’re watching. Those are going to be more of your question marks versus your starters.”
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Adam McCalvy
