Milwaukee Brewers Notes, Quotes 2009-03-25

--RHP Trevor Hoffman was sidelined with an oblique strain in his right side, putting his status for Opening Day in jeopardy. "I'd say it's cloudy right now," said manager Ken Macha, who admitted he didn't know if Hoffman had enough time to get ready.

RHPs Seth McClung and Carlos Villanueva are candidates to fill the closer role if RHP Trevor Hoffman is unavailable for Opening Day, Macha said.

--RHP Eduardo Morlan, a Rule 5 draft pick from Tampa Bay in December, was reclaimed by the Rays after clearing waivers. The Brewers decided they had no room in their bullpen for Morlan after he posted a 6.43 ERA in five exhibition appearances.

--RHP Wes Littleton was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox. Littleton was placed on waivers after suffering through a miserable spring, with an 18.56 ERA in six relieve outings. He is out of minor league options and in essence has a two-week audition to make the club.

--OF Tony Gwynn Jr. finally was cleared to play in the field with two weeks remaining in camp after being sidelined with a shoulder impingement. Gwynn is out of minor league options, so the Brewers might have a difficult roster decision looming as they make their bench decisions.

--C Angel Salome, the Brewers' top prospect at that position, has been sidelined much of camp with a back strain. The injury prevented Salome from making an impression on new manager Ken Macha and his staff. The plan is still for Salome to be the No. 1 catcher at Class AAA Nashville.

--INF/OF Jason Bourgeois returned to the Brewers' camp after being sidelined with a broken finger. Bourgeois, who signed as a minor league free agent over the winter, was seeing action mostly in the outfield.

--C Mike Rivera missed more than a week of action with a right hamstring strain but returned in plenty of time to get ready for the season. Rivera again is slated to be the backup to No. 1 C Jason Kendall.

BY THE NUMBERS: 5 -- Home runs for RF Corey Hart in his first 40 at-bats during exhibition play. Hart was batting .450 (18-for-40) with a .975 slugging percentage.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I want somebody who's going to get on base. He might lead off some games. We'll see how matchups and all that other stuff goes." -- Manager Ken Macha, on the possibility of batting C Jason Kendall in the leadoff spot.