--RHP Trevor Hoffman was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle. The move is retroactive to March 27. "He is feeling much better and has shown much improvement. He has the normal 'day-after' soreness. We did this because we didn't want him to feel he's in a hurry-up mode," said Brewers GM Gord Ash. Hoffman, 41, signed a $6 million, one-year contract with Milwaukee after playing 15 seasons with the Padres.
--LF Ryan Braun was still bothered by the intercostal tightness that forced him to sit out two games while playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. In his first game with the Brewers after returning, he exited after just two plate appearances (both walks). An MRI showed no structural damage, and the Brewers were trying to control the problem before it carried over into the regular season. --OF Trot Nixon was given his release. The Brewers gave Nixon a chance to win a reserve outfield spot as a non-roster player, but he batted only .105 and appeared to be out of gas as a player. The club made the move with more than a week left in camp to give Nixon, 34, a chance to look elsewhere for work.
--INF Craig Counsell was sidelined with swelling in his right knee. An MRI showed no new structural damage, and the Brewers hoped Counsell would have time to recover before Opening Day. Counsell, 38, is slated to be the primary backup infielder.
--RHP Braden Looper made his first exhibition start on March 25 after recovering from an oblique strain. Looper was anything but sharp, allowing seven hits and six runs (five earned) against Texas, but he appeared healthy and was on target to open the season in the rotation.
BY THE NUMBERS: .423 -- Batting average for SS J.J. Hardy through 18 exhibition games. Hardy had a .885 slugging percentage and a .431 on-base percentage.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't ever hit home runs in spring training. I don't know what's going on." -- RF Corey Hart, who socked six home runs in his first 52 exhibition at-bats.
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