--RHP Eric Gagne, who has been suffering from a sore shoulder all spring, was released by the Brewers. He had been in camp on a minor league contract. He will attempt to rehab the shoulder before trying to find another job, and Milwaukee assistant GM Gord Ash told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that the team would be willing to give Gagne another look.
Gagne's chances of making the club in spring training were ruined when an MRI of his pitching shoulder revealed labrum and rotator cuff fraying. He was given the option of having an injection and trying rehab, or undergoing surgery immediately and possibly losing the 2009 season entirely. --RHP Braden Looper was scratched from his first exhibition start with tightness in his left oblique and placed on a conservative rehab program. It remained to be seen if Looper would be able to get ready in time for the start of the season.
"The worst thing, just from an experience point of view, you don't want to push a guy out there and have him re-aggravate it and push him back to square one," assistant general manager Gord Ash said. "Since we have the time, we'll be conservative."
--RHP Seth McClung returned to a role as a starting pitcher after RHP Braden Looper was sidelined with an oblique injury. McClung had been shifted to bullpen duty when Looper signed a free agent deal just before the start of camp.
--OF Tony Gwynn Jr. received an injection March 5 in his ailing right shoulder that club officials hoped would eventually get him back on the field. Gwynn reported to camp with a shoulder impingement and had yet to play in a game. He was scheduled for complete rest for three to five days after the injection.
--C Mike Rivera suffered a strained right hamstring March 5 and was given an injection to facilitate his recovery. Rivera, slated to be the backup to C Jason Kendall, was expected to be sidelined for five to seven days.
--OF Lorenzo Cain was added to the list of non-roster invitees to camp after the first week of exhibition games when the club was caught short of healthy outfielders. Cain, 22, is considered the organization's top outfield prospect.
--C Angel Salome was bothered by tightness in the middle of his back and was restricted from playing. Salome is considered the Brewers' top catching prospect.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Career Opening Day starts for RHP Jeff Suppan, who appears lined up to pitch the April 7 opener in San Francisco.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm going to enjoy my time over here, just getting to know these guys and learn from them. This is a great opportunity to learn from these guys, see what they do and how they prepare." -- Outfield prospect Lorenzo Cain, a late addition to camp as a non-roster player after the Brewers were caught short of healthy, available outfielders.
Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today
