Brewer Daily News for March 19th: Crosby gone, Rogers questionable, Tribe edges Crew

Good morning and welcome to the Tuesday edition of Brewer Daily News. This morning, the Milwaukee Brewers are continuing to carve their 40 and 25-man rosters by making cuts here and there. In the second bit of news, the starting rotation is panning out as most people first predicted. Lastly, the Brewers couldn’t rally late against the Cleveland Indians who won yesterday afternoon.

Bobby Crosby hasn’t played a Major League Baseball game since 2010. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

For Bobby Crosby, perhaps the release of his contract wasn’t seen as a surprise. For the 33-year-old, the Brewers let the veteran have another shot at the majors by signing him to a minor league contract back in January. Unfortunately for Crosby, his inability to really get anything going, only batting .188 in seven games so far in Spring Training, spelled out the end of his contract.

Earlier this month, the Brewers had also released veteran pitcher Kelvim Escobar who failed to impress and had a lingering injury strike back. Crosby, while it may have been a long shot, was someone the Brewers could have considered for first base with Corey Hart and Mat Gamel out, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.

Moving on, the Brewers have run into a bit of a predicament with starter/reliever Mark Rogers. Since his shellacking against the Texas Rangers, Rogers has not started and his presence in the Opening Day starting rotation is shaky at best now.

"“Well, I think where he is in pitch count, it’s going to be tough for him to be extended out to 90 pitches or whatever,” manager Ron Roenicke said. “I don’t ever want to say it’s not going to happen, but it’s tougher for him right now.” – via Brewers.com"

Whether or not that means Rogers is going to be out of the rotation remains unknown. Rogers had been fighting for a spot in the latter part of the rotation as Yovani Gallardo, Marco Estrada and Mike Fiers will take up the first three spots.

Yesterday, the Brewers lost 4-2 to the Indians. Estrada started for the team and looked rough, but quickly rebounded. He would pitch 2 1/3 innings and gave up one run and three hits while walking three and striking out one. Alfredo Figaro would come into the game later and get the loss and he gave up one run, three hits, struck out two and walked two in 1 2/3 innings. Ubaldo Jimenez started for Cleveland and went 5 1/3 innings while giving up two runs, seven hits and struck out five. Jerry Gil would get the win for Cleveland.

The Brewers offensively were powered by Logan Schafer who scored on a wild pitch and Blake Lalli who hit a double that scored a run. Jean Segura and Lalli went 2-for-3 a piece for the Brew Crew. Offensively for the Tribe, hits from Lou Marson, Cord Phelps, Mark Reynolds and Ezequiel Carrera helped give them the two run lead to win.

Today the Brewers will take on the Los Angeles Angels in Maryvale at 4:05 p.m. EST/3:05 p.m. CST. The starters will be Wily Peralta for Milwaukee and Jason Vargas for Los Angeles.