Milwaukee Brewers Notes, Quotes 2009-01-31

--INF Craig Counsell, 38, will return to back up second base, shortstop and third base in 2009. His $1 million deal became official when he passed a physical.

--LF Ryan Braun expects to be the starting left fielder for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Braun, one of the first players to commit, said that was the indication he had been given from the team's officials. "That's my expectation," he said.

--SS Alcides Escobar is rated the organization's top prospect, but general manager Doug Melvin said Escobar would not be kept on the Brewers' bench to stat the 2009 season. "He needs to play every day," said Melvin, who indicated Escobar would start the year as the starting shortstop for Class AAA Nashville.

--OF Tony Gwynn Jr. is out of minor league options, making this spring an important one for him and the club. Gwynn began the 2008 season on the Brewers' roster but played in only 29 games. He spent most of the season with Class AAA Nashville, where he batted .275 in 95 games.

--RHP Chris Smith, who pitched in 12 games out of the bullpen (1-0, 7.85) for the Boston Red Sox last season, signed a minor-league deal with the Brewers.

BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Openings on the 40-man roster with two weeks to go before spring training. RHP Chris Smith has not been invited to the major league camp but provides depth at the Triple-A level.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm hoping we can get something done. Nobody wants to go to a hearing, but if you have to, you have to. I'm just trying to stay positive and hope for the best." -- 2B Rickie Weeks, on his arbitration case.

Author: Fox Sports

Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com

Added: January 31, 2009