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Oof.

By Jeff Sackmann

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Mark Rogers probably won't be ready for the beginning of the season:

Right-hander Mark Rogers, the Brewers' first-round draft pick in 2004, is facing the likelihood of surgery after a continuation of the shoulder pain that forced him to be shut down in the second half of the 2006 season at Class A Brevard County (Fla.).

...If Rogers has the arthroscopic procedure, he will not be ready for the start of the 2007 season. But Ash said Rogers was expected to pitch at some point during the year.

"Dr. Raasch said this is a very, very minor thing," Ash said.

Nevertheless, it follows a disturbing trend that has hindered efforts to develop starting pitchers from within the farm system. Right-hander Mike Jones and left-hander Manny Parra, who were expected to be in the majors by now, were set back by surgeries and remain on the comeback trail. Another prospect, Chris Saenz, was dropped from the organization after surgery.

Well then. That sounds...optimistic. As if to twist the knife a little further, the J-S reminds us that Rogers was picked just ahead of Homer Bailey. I've said it before and I'll have to try hard not to say it again, but can you imagine the future of this organization if Bailey and Yovani Gallardo both figured to join the rotation by opening day, 2008?

Anyway, I figure this might be a good thing. Rogers was flailing a bit anyway; maybe this will solve a lingering problem or two and he can get everything sorted out. Even if Rogers ends up never making the majors, I'd say our 2004 draft class--with Gallardo and Steve Hammond, among others--looks mighty fine regardless.

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