Tuesday's Frosty Mug: Cleaning Out Lockers

Some things to read while yelling really loud.

Day 29 of spring training 2013 opens up today with a couple more empty lockers in the major league clubhouse: Johnny Hellweg and Tyler Thornburg were optioned to Nashville yesterday, where both will be stretched out to start. Both pitchers had reasonably good runs in major league camp, and I wouldn't be shocked to see either or both on the roster this season.

Thornburg was scheduled to start for the Brewers on Wednesday but that spot will now be filled by Yovani Gallardo, who slots back into the rotation now that he's returned from the World Baseball Classic. Marco Estrada will pitch in a minor league game on Thursday since the major league team is off.

Back on the field, the Brewers are back within a game of .500 after beating the Dodgers 3-2 yesterday. Nathan has the recap, if you missed it.

Yesterday was FS Wisconsin's first telecast of the spring and I didn't get to see it, but I've heard it was filled with various interviews. One of those interviews was the subject of our Tweet of the Day:

Doug Melvin's face when @craigcoshun asked him to fill in the blank "I _____ Twitter" was priceless.His response: "Dislike." *blank stare*

— Nate Petrashek (@NPetrashek) March 11, 2013

Other notes from the field:

• Zack Greinke was scheduled to start for the Dodgers yesterday but was scratched with elbow discomfort and eventually received an injection of platelet-rich plasma.
• Elsewhere in injury notes, Aramis Ramirez was able to run the bases yesterday and should be ready to play by the end of this week as expected.
• Adam McCalvy has a story on Hunter Morris' 2012 season in Huntsville and "The Mayor's" efforts to carry that success over to 2013.
• Taylor Green is back in camp following the WBC and McCalvy also has a story on his renewed focus on making the team.
• ASU student John De Groote of the JS has a story on Kent Meyer, the beer vendor better known as "The Iceman."
• ASU student Edmund Hubbard of the JS talked to some Brewer fans spending their spring break in Maryvale.
• ASU student Justin Marshall of the JS has a photo essay on Brewers working on fundamentals before yesterday's game.
• The Brewers wore their Cerveceros jerseys yesterday.

Cactus League play continues today when the Brewers travel to Surprise(!) to take on the Rangers at 3 pm. Mark Rogers is scheduled to get the ball for the Crew and face Alexi Ogando.

We're several weeks into spring training games and at this point the answer to the "Who's going to play first base?" question still appears to be "everyone." The Book of Gorman has a look at the outlook for the position both before and after Corey Hart comes back.

Donnie Murphy may not be a candidate to start at first base, but he has already appeared in eleven games this spring and is hitting .227/.320/.273. He's the subject of The Brewer Nation's latest edition of Brewers By the (Jersey) Numbers.

In the minors: Outfielder Reggie Keen has announced plans to retire. A former undrafted free agent, he's appeared in 253 games over the last three seasons with Helena, Wisconsin and Brevard County and posted a .263/.317/.354 batting line.

Around baseball:

Indians: Released outfielder Ben Francisco.
Mariners: Reliever Josh Kinney is likely to open the season on the DL with a stress reaction in his ribs.
Red Sox: Pitcher Franklin Morales is likely to open the season on the DL with a back injury.
Yankees: Signed outfielder Ben Francisco.

My favorite spring training story of the day came from Tigers camp, where shortstop Jhonny Peralta missed action yesterday after eating a bowl of clam chowder. He's apparently allergic to shellfish.

I use the B-Ref Pl;ay Index multiple times daily to produce the content you see here on BCB and strongly recommend it. If you've always wanted to check it out, now's your chance: They're offering a free trial through April 15.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to stay on the road.

Drink up.