camp report

[645]

JS Online: Monday camp report

News of the day: The Brewers held their first official workout of the spring at Maryvale Baseball Park. Though only pitchers and catchers were required to participate, every starting everyday player was on hand along with most of those on the 40-man roster.

On the field: In a drill designed to help outfielders focus on catching balls on the ground, they fielded them without gloves for a period of time. Playing better defense is a major focus of this camp.

Injury report: Minor-league catcher Lou Palmisano does not have torn cartilage in his left knee, as was originally feared. An MRI revealed that Palmisano has a subluxation of the patella tendon. Let's just call it "a sore knee." Palmisano is expected to be out of action five to seven days.

[645]

Good to see they got off to a good start and sweet Lou isn't as hart as thought for he is one of those players that can't aford to be out long and have a chance to make the team although that is limited to begin with.

[645]

February 19

JS Online: Tuesday camp report

News of the day: Pitcher Yovani Gallardo had surgery on his left knee Tuesday in Milwaukee to repair torn cartilage. Gallardo is scheduled to report back to camp today to start his rehabilitation. "It went very smoothly," said assistant general manager Gord Ash, who oversees the team's medical program. "Doctor (William) Raasch was pleased with the outcome. It was exactly as he thought."

On the field: In a batting practice group that included Prince Fielder, Bill Hall, J.J. Hardy and Rickie Weeks, the balls were expectedly flying over the fence, especially off Weeks' bat. Fielder ended his round by hitting a one-hopper off the centerfield fence, evoking a negative scream as he made contact. That prompted infielder Joe Dillon, who was watching, to say he wished he could be so upset over one-hoppers off the wall.

Injury report: Minor-league catcher Lou Palmisano was relieved to learn he does not have torn cartilage in his left knee. He is expected to miss only five to seven days. "We're just treating it like a small sprain," Palmisano said.

[645]

Thank God that Gallardo surgery went well and the Brewers hitter get off to a hot start with hitting them Home Run but though it is still early.

[645]

February 20

JS Online: Wednesday camp report

News of the day: Former Brewers third baseman Russell Branyan signed a minor-league deal and was assigned to the club's minor-league camp. Branyan can sign with another team if offered a big-league deal and the Brewers don't match it. Left-hander Mitch Stetter signed a contract for 2008.

On the field: Outfielder Matt LaPorta, the Brewers' first-round draft pick in 2007, has been participating in the organization's minor-league winter program. When the Brewers hold their first official full-squad workout Saturday, LaPorta is expected to join them.

Injury report: New centerfielder Mike Cameron sat out the workout Wednesday to have his sore left leg examined and treated. Cameron said he had a slight strain of the hamstring tendon behind the knee. "I felt a little something (Tuesday) and thought I better have it looked at it," said Cameron, who might miss the workout today as well. Cameron's absence was no big deal because position players aren't required to work out until Saturday.

[645]

Cactus juice: Some general managers get no respect. An overzealous security guard cautioned Doug Melvin not to stick his fingers through the chain-link fence as he was watching pitchers warm up in the bullpen at Maryvale Baseball Park.

Now that is funny. Yeah, That's spring training for you.

[645]

February 21

JS Online: Thursday camp report

News of the day: Infielder Alcides Escobar, still in Venezuela, has gotten his passport and visa issues figured out and should be in camp Sunday, or Monday at the latest. Escobar had trouble with his documents but has picked up his passport and will receive his visa today.

Also, Lou Palmisano signed his contract.

On the field: Outfielders were hit balls from shallow left field during a "wall drill" to practice feeling the warning track, playing balls off the wall and even snaring would-be home runs. The drill got spirited as players hooted and hollered for nice plays and muffed ones. The biggest reaction came when centerfielder Mike Cameron went up and snatched a ball high off the wall.

Injury report: Farm director Reid Nichols was struck on the right side of the face by a line drive off the bat of Brad Nelson. Nichols' face swelled and he suffered cuts on the outside and inside of his cheek, but he should be fine.

[645]

February 22

JS Online: Friday camp report

News of the day: Right-hander Carlos Villanueva was the latest unsigned player to come to terms on a 2008 contract. General manager Doug Melvin is still negotiating with the agents for Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart and Ryan Braun.

On the field: Weather was a factor for the first time as light rain toward the end of the workout prompted manager Ned Yost to cancel the base-running drill. Yost said players deserved a break anyway after a few days of hard work. "They've been doing a lot of running," Yost said.

Injury report: Farm director Reid Nichols, who was struck on the right side of the face by a line drive Thursday, took a day off from helping to instruct the outfielders. "His face is pretty swollen," Melvin said. "He's not feeling too good."

[645]

February 23

JS Online: Saturday camp report

News of the day: Owner Mark Attanasio arrived in camp on the first official day of full-squad workouts and spoke to the club. Infielder Ozzie Chavez participated in his first workout of spring training, leaving only shortstop Alcides Escobar absent.

On the field: Pitchers threw live to hitters for the first time in camp, working on location and command while hitters mostly tracked pitches and got in an occasional swing. During the first round on one of the fields, Chris Capuano splintered Bill Hall's bat and the barrel end stuck in the grass in front of home plate like a lawn dart.

Injury report: Reliever Salomon Torres is feeling much better after having some early body soreness. He has thrown only off flat ground but should start working off a mound in the next day or two.

[645]

February 24

JS Online: Sunday camp report

News of the day: The Brewers will break up the daily routine of workouts by playing intrasquad games Tuesday and Wednesday, in preparation for the opening of exhibition season the next day. Manager Ned Yost said each healthy pitcher would work an inning, one of the two days.

On the field: The Brewers held their first team fundamental drill, practicing their bunt defense with runners moving on the bases. Fundamentals will be a focus of camp as the Brewers try to improve a defense that tied for 12th in the National League last season.

Injury report: Right-hander Yovani Gallardo, who had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to remove torn cartilage in his left knee, is wearing a protective sleeve over it. He is doing physical therapy but will begin some light throwing at some point to keep his arm strong. "It feels better every day," he said.

[645]

February 25

JS Online: Monday camp report

News of the day: Closer Eric Gagne missed the workout Monday after coming down with the flu, which manager Ned Yost said Gagne's entire family is battling. Catcher Eric Munson had missed the previous two workouts with the flu.

On the field: Yost announced that right-handers Jeff Suppan and Dave Bush would be the starters today for the first intrasquad scrimmage. Because fewer pitchers were invited to camp this year, Yost said scrimmages would be shorter, maybe only five or six innings.

Injury report: Right-hander Yovani Gallardo is feeling better after having arthroscopic surgery last Tuesday to remove torn cartilage from his left knee. With his rehabilitation going well and the swelling down in his knee, he informed Yost that he could be ready to start running this week.

[645]

Well then, It looks like Gagne is the latest to come down with the flu and that flu most be bad this year for it keeps getting in my way in setting my lineup in Fantasy Hockey.

Alright it is good to see they are finaly hitting the field with the yearly intrasquad scrimmage although shorter. I tell you they should of invited more pitchers just to eat up some innings in the early going and I'm looking forward to Thursday to finaly get it going.

[645]

February 26

JS Online: Tuesday camp report

News of the day: Outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. signed a contract for 2008. Among those still unsigned are Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart. Assistant general manager Gord Ash said the renewal date for contracts this spring wasn't until Sunday, so unsigned players will be allowed to play when exhibition season opens Thursday.

On the field: The Brewers played their first intrasquad game, a 4½-inning affair won by the "home" team, 2-1. The Brewers will play another intrasquad game to allow the remaining healthy pitchers to get work.

Illness report: Closer Eric Gagne, who missed the workout Monday with the flu, reported back to camp and did some light throwing before being sent back home. Manager Ned Yost did not want Gagne to expose other players to the flu. "Put him in a bubble," Yost instructed pitching coach Mike Maddux.

[645]

February 27

JS Online: Wednesday camp report

News of the day: The Brewers signed right-handed pitcher Carlos Villanueva to a one-year deal and sent right-hander Mike DiFelice back to the minor-league camp. DiFelice did not pitch in big league camp because of right knee surgery.

On the field: In the second intrasquad game of spring training, the "Home" team beat the "Visiting" side, 10-4, scoring nine runs in the fourth and fifth innings - the game went five innings. Right-handers Steven Bray and Tim Dillard failed to record outs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings. Bray allowed four runs on four hits, and Dillard allowed five runs on six hits before the game was called off.

Injury report: Tony Gwynn Jr. took a ball off his nose as he slid into second base on a steal attempt during the intrasquad game. He had the ball beat, but Vinny Rottino's throw was a little wide and caught Gwynn on the bridge, causing a little swelling. He stayed in the game and later stole third.

[645]

February 28

JS Online: Thursday camp report

News of the day: Right-hander Yovani Gallardo and infielder/outfielder Joe Dillon signed 2008 contracts. General manager Doug Melvin said owner Mark Attanasio gave the go-ahead to prepare multi-year offers for some of the team's younger players, but said that process would not begin for a while.

On the field: When the Brewers play Oakland again today, relievers Derrick Turnbow and Eric Gagne are scheduled for an inning each. Left-hander Manny Parra is also expected to pitch.

Injury report: Gallardo, who had arthroscopic knee surgery 10 days ago, has begun playing catch to keep his arm in shape. Gallardo said the knee had felt better with each passing day.