This spring has been ugly for injuries so far for the crew - I hope this isn't a preview of the regular season.
Looks like the Reds will get lucky missing Greinke and having two starters out of the regular lineup.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/118594274.html
Manager's Briefing: Lucroy and Hart not looking good for opening day
By
Andrew Gruman, Special to the Journal Sentinel
March 24, 2011 1:36 p.m. |
(26) Comments
Phoenix - With opening day a week away, time is running out for catcher
Jonathan Lucroy and right fielder
Corey Hart to be ready.
Brewers' manager
Ron Roenicke did not seem optimistic about either player's opening day prospects Thursday.
"It doesn't look very good," said Roenicke.
Hart and Lucroy both took 50 swings Thursday. However, there might not be enough games left to prepare them.
"That's why it's a question," said Hart. "I don't want to go out and not be ready."
Because Lucroy doesn't have a muscle pull or an injury that could be easily reaggravated, Roenicke said he could get unlimited at bats in minor league games.
Hart is a different story. Too many at bats at once could reaggravate his strained left rib-cage muscle, setting him back further.
"Everything (now) is controlled," said Hart. "When it's not controlled, that's when I think about it."
Roenicke all but said
RHP Marco Estrada will be the fifth starter while
Zack Greinke is out. When asked who he was still considering, Estrada was the only name he mentioned. Roenicke said it would be unfair to put Wily Peralta in that position.
There still is a slight chance somebody else could be brought in. According to Roenicke, Brewers
general manager Doug Melvin is still looking.
Estrada will start Sunday, with
RHP Shaun Marcum bumped back to Monday, giving him an extra day of rest as he recovers from shoulder stiffness.
His bullpen session, scheduled for Thursday, also was bumped back a day. Marcum will throw 75-85 pitches Monday and is still on track to start the second game of the season.
According to Roenicke,
LHP Manny Parra felt good after throwing long toss Wednesday and will throw a bullpen session Sunday.
RHP LaTroy Hawkins will throw an inning in a minor league game Thursday.
Roenicke also made the roster picture a bit more clear.
If Corey Hart is not able to go, two from among
Brandon Boggs, Jeremy Reed and
Chris Dickerson, will make the roster.
The last bench spot will come down to
Erick Almonte, Luis Cruz or
Edwin Maysonet.
Roenicke still has to decide if he wants a more defensive-oriented player in Cruz or Maysonet, or if he wants Almonte, more of an offensive player.
A defensive-oriented player could be needed, because Roenicke plans to use
Craig Counsell as a late game pinch-hitter.