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Monday's Frosty Mug: What To Do With Rogers?

Mark Rogers remains one of the spring's biggest stories, and we're talking about him and more in today's daily roundup of all things Brewers.

By Kyle Lobner

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Justin K. Aller

Some things to read while enjoying your new freedom.

Day 42 of spring training 2013 has the Brewers coming off a win, but also a loss as thy split a split-squad doubleheader against the Padres and Rockies yesterday. Roguejim has a pair of recaps, if you missed them.

Unfortunately, yesterday's biggest news was not good. Mark Rogers started the home half of the doubleheader against the Rockies and his velocity is still down, with a scout telling Adam McCalvy he was throwing between 85-89 mph. After the game Rogers referred to what he's going through as a "dead arm phase" and said he's still confident he'll be back to full strength soon.

Even if Rogers does turn around eventually, though, the Brewers are close to needing to make a decision on him now. He'd have to pass through waivers to open the season in the minors, and the fact that both the team and player say he's not injured would make it difficult for him to open the season on the DL. The team may opt to keep him in the bullpen to start the season, but it's hard to believe he'll improve throwing inconsistent innings as the eighth man out there.

Elsewhere in ailments: Taylor Green remains on the shelf with a hip injury despite wanting to get back in the lineup, Carlos Gomez has missed a couple of days with back stiffness that's not believed to be serious and Marco Estrada was able to pitch through a stomach ailment yesterday.

Other notes from the field:

Cactus League play continues today with a more traditional single game as the Brewers travel to Phoenix Muni to take on the A's at 3. You can listen live on WTMJ as Chris Narveson takes on Bartolo Colon.

The Brewers have thinned the race for the final bullpen spot down a bit, optioning Michael Olmsted and Josh Stinson to Nashville over the weekend. They also sent extra catcher Dayton Buller back to minor league camp.

With each passing day Donovan Hand's chances of making the roster in the bullpen seem to improve. Nashville broadcaster Jeff Hem has an interview with the 2012 Sound about his time in major league camp.

Mike Fiers remains one of the Brewers' question marks for 2013 as he's virtually assured a spot in the Opening Day rotation but has been hit-or-miss this spring. Adam Wieser of Disciples of Uecker asks if he can be an elite starter again this season.

With the Brewers playing 18 innings yesterday, both Martin Maldonado and Jonathan Lucroy got four at bats. The Book of Gorman has a look at the Brewers' unusual depth at catcher.

Jean Segura played in the home game yesterday and went 2-for-3 with a run scored. He's also the subject of one of The Brewer Nation's recent editions of "Brewers By the (Jersey) Numbers." Ryan Braun, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk yesterday, was also recently featured.

I didn't have a chance to run a full post on it yesterday, but ESPN's ranking of baseball's top 500 players for 2013 continued yesterday with players #101-150 and Aramis Ramirez is there at #112. He was #133 a year ago.

In the minors:

Today in predictions, projections, power rankings and whatnot:

Finally, this is relevant to nothing but I love it so I'm including it anyway: Jess Lemont of The Brewers Bar presents "Racing Sausages Beneath a Waxing Gibbous."

Around baseball:

Astros: Signed shortstop Ronny Cedeno.
Athletics: Claimed first baseman Nate Freiman off waivers from the Astros.
Blue Jays: Third baseman Brett Lawrie is expected to open the season on the DL with a rib injury. The team also claimed pitcher Todd Redmond off waivers from the Orioles.
Braves: Catcher Brian McCann is expected to open the season on the DL and may be out until May following shoulder surgery.
Cardinals: Reliever Jason Motte is expected to open the season on the DL with a forearm strain.
Dodgers: Released reliever Mark Lowe.
Giants: Released infielder Wilson Valdez and reliever Ramon Ramirez.
Mariners: Signed outfielder Endy Chavez to a minor league deal.
Marlins: Signed infielder Wilson Valdez to a minor league deal.
Nationals: Pitcher Christian Garcia will open the season on the DL with a forearm strain. The team also signed reliever J.C. Romero to a minor league deal.
Padres: Released pitcher Freddy Garcia.
Pirates: Pitcher Jeff Karstens is expected to open the season on the DL with shoulder soreness.
Phillies: Released "infielder" Yuniesky Betancourt and pitcher Rodrigo Lopez.
Rangers: Re-signed pitcher Yoshinori Tateyama to a minor league deal and claimed pitcher Brad Mills off waivers from the Angels.
Rockies: Signed pitcher Jon Garland to a one year, $500,000 deal and returned pitcher and Rule 5 pick Danny Rosenbaum to the Nationals.
Tigers: Returned infielder and Rule 5 pick Jeff Kobernus to the Nationals.
Yankees: Shortstop Derek Jeter will open the season on the DL with an ankle injury. The team also acquired outfielder Vernon Wells from the Angels and signed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang.

In former Brewers:

Today in baseball economics: I'm not sure anyone knew about this until this weekend, but the World Baseball Classic is responsible for the salaries of players who end up on the DL with injuries suffered during the event. This year they're on the hook for Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez and Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira.

The big story around the sports world this weekend has to be Florida Gulf Coast University, which is making an improbable run in the NCAA men's basketball tournament despite being one of the event's lowest seeds. Over the weekend Jonathan Lucroy revealed that he almost went to FGCU, but the coach didn't answer the phone when he called to commit.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm not actually here.

Drink up.

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