Hat tip to Tom Hardicourt and the JSOnline.
Phoenix - Sounds like Mat Gamel is going to need plenty of fielder's gloves
during the Brewers' spring camp.
During his briefing this morning, manager Ron Roenicke said Gamel will get
work this spring at third base, first base and the outfield corners, mostly
in right. Considered one of the top prospects in the system for years,
Gamel has been held back by injuries and lack of opportunity.
Gamel came through the system as a third baseman but Casey McGehee has that
spot sewed up. At first base, there won't be an opening until Prince
Fielder leaves via free agency, as expected. For that matter, the Brewers
have all-stars in the corner outfield in Ryan Braun and Corey Hart.
So, Gamel must bide his time, show some versatility and see what happens.
"He's going to bounce around," said Roenicke. "The guy can hit. If he makes
us believe he can play a lot of positions, it helps him make the team. If I
were in his shoes, I'd be open to anything."
Roenicke conceded that another factor is if it's better for Gamel to play
every day at Class AAA Nashville rather than see sporadic action off the
Brewers' bench. That call will come at the end of camp.
Roenicke noted that there are only a "couple of utility spots" to be won on
the roster along with a possible spot or two in the bullpen. The situation
in the bullpen will be determined by how many pitchers the Brewers break
camp with -- 11 or 12 -- and if LaTroy Hawkins recovers from shoulder
surgery in time to be ready for opening day.
"If LaTroy is not healthy, they'll probably be a couple of spots (to be
won)," said Roenicke.
Roenicke said closer John Axford, who is recovering from food poisoning,
will do a little more today than yesterday but still isn't strong enough to
do a bullpen session.
On another topic, I just saw a release out of St. Louis that Jim Edmonds is
retiring rather than reporting to St. Louis' camp. Edmonds has an Achilles
tendon problem that prevents him from playing right now. That's too bad
because the guy can still hit. He had trouble with that Achilles heel last
year with the Brewers, too.
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