1. RHP Jeff Suppan

2. RHP Yovani Gallardo

3. LHP Manny Parra

4. RHP Braden Looper

5. RHP Dave Bush

ROTATION ANALYSIS: Some wondered why manager Ken Macha would go at the top with Suppan, who slipped badly at the end of last season. But Macha doesn't want to put the pressure of "No. 1" on Gallardo or Parra, two young pitchers who have that potential down the road.

Looper fell behind early in camp with an oblique strain, and RHP Seth McClung was stretched to serve as his substitute if necessary. But Looper appears on target to be ready for the start of the season, so McClung will shift to a relief role.

BULLPEN:

RHP Carlos Villanueva (closer)

RHP Seth McClung

LHP Mitch Stetter

RHP David Riske

RHP Todd Coffey

RHP Jorge Julio

RHP Mark DiFelice

BULLPEN ANALYSIS: The Brewers signed RHP Trevor Hoffman during the offseason to fill a huge void in the ninth inning, but he strained an oblique early in camp and missed much of the exhibition season. He appears will open the season on the disabled list, which means either Villanueva or McClung will get a shot to close.

Riske, who had elbow surgery in September, looked awful in exhibition play, leaving some to wonder if he was healthy. Coffey and Stetter had solid springs, but Julio was up and down. The relief corps in general had club officials nervous.

LINEUP:

1. 2B Rickie Weeks

2. SS J.J. Hardy

3. LF Ryan Braun

4. 1B Prince Fielder

5. RF Corey Hart

6. 3B Bill Hall

7. CF Mike Cameron

8. C Jason Kendall

LINEUP ANALYSIS: The Brewers are in the unusual position of having all eight position players back, a rarity in the big leagues. Hall evolved into a platoon player last year because he stopped hitting right-handed pitching, but manager Ken Macha said Hall would get the chance to prove he should play every day.

Hardy and Hart were having huge springs, and they provide nice pop at their positions. Weeks has been an underachiever in the leadoff spot and might be heading into a make-or-break season. This lineup has power, but six of the starting eight also struck out at least 100 times last season.

RESERVES:

C Mike Rivera

INF Craig Counsell

INF Casey McGehee

OF Chris Duffy

OF Brad Nelson

RESERVES ANALYSIS: McGehee and Duffy played so well, the Brewers decided to keep them instead of OF Tony Gwynn Jr. and INF Mike Lamb. Gwynn cleared waivers and was sent outright to Class AAA Nashville. Lamb was released.

ROOKIE WATCH: With all eight regulars returning and no rookie pitchers ready to contribute in the majors, the Brewers had no sure-fire rookie of the year candidates as the season approached. But SS Alcides Escobar showed once again in camp he is a fabulous fielder and constantly improving player destined to arrive in the majors in the not-so-distant future. If things go awry at third base, Casey McGehee also could step in and make an impact.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Trevor Hoffman (right oblique strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27.

LF Ryan Braun (intercostal tightness, bruised thumb) was banged up as spring training ended but will be in the starting lineup nevertheless.

INF Craig Counsell (torn meniscus in right knee) opted not to have arthroscopic surgery and will remain on the active roster.