Bullpen looks set with James, McClendon optioned

The Brewers optioned right-handed relievers Justin James and Mike McClendon to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday and appear to have set their Opening Day bullpen.

Both pitchers were technically under consideration for a relief corps expected to include eight relievers on Thursday in Cincinnati. Now, only eight relievers are left active in Major League camp: closer John Axford, left-handers Zach Braddock and Mitch Stetter and right-handers Takashi Saito, Kameron Loe, Sean Green, Brandon Kintzler and Sergio Mitre.

The Brewers do not have to formally set the roster official until 10 a.m. CT on Thursday.

Braddock should be ready after suffering the latest weird “injury” to strike Maryvale Baseball Park. He was stung in the left foot by a scorpion last week but should be able to pitch in split-squad games on Monday.

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