Brewer Daily News for March 12th: Thornburg, Hellweg sent down, Crew beats Dodgers

Good morning and welcome again to another edition of Brewer Daily News. On this Tuesday morning, the Milwaukee Brewers have begun to start putting pieces in place for 2013. First off, pitchers Tyler Thornburg and Johnny Hellweg were optioned down to Triple-A Nashville yesterday. In the second bit of news, the Brewers won in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday, a game that ex-Brewer Zack Greinke was supposed to start.

Johnny Hellweg’s time as a major league is coming soon. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

With Thornburg and Hellweg being sent down to the minors, this really should come as no surprise. Thornburg only pitched in two games during Spring Training, one of which he started. During those two games, he pitched a total of four innings and gave up four runs while walking four and striking out two. Hellweg on the other hand had five games under his belt and gave up four runs in 8.2 innings pitched. Hellweg has mainly been projected to be a bullpen pitcher once up in the majors, but that could change.

“We still think he has a very good chance to be a real good Major League starter,” Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. “If we didn’t think that way, we would have kept him in camp because he would have had a chance to make the team out of the bullpen.” – via Brewers.com

Hellweg has a real shot to make the 25-man roster at some point this season, as does Thornburg. Both may be starters come 2014, or even this season if the newly structured rotation doesn’t pan out.

After losing their last two games, the Brewers found victory yesterday afternoon against the Dodgers. In the game, Mike Fiers started for the Brew Crew, going four innings and giving up two unearned runs on six hits while striking out three. Prospect Donovan Hand would get his first save of the spring. For the Dodgers, Hyun-Jin Ryu, the highly touted Korean pitcher that the team signed, gave up three runs on five hits in 4.2 innings and was ultimately given his second loss of the spring. Ryu replaced Greinke who has been battling an elbow injury.

The Brewers were helped offensively by Rickie Weeks who had a triple that drove in a run and big hits from Khris Davis and Blake Lalli which scored runs. Weeks’ triple was nearly a home run, only inches shy from going over the wall in center field.

“They said it probably hit the yellow line — a camera guy said that to one of the coaches,” Weeks said. “It’s Spring Training, and I could care less. You just hit the ball hard and see what happens. Results matter in the season.” – via Brewers.com

Today the Brewers will face Alexi Ogando and the Texas Rangers. For the Brew Crew, Mark Rogers will take the mound. The game starts at 4:05 PM EST / 3:05 PM CST.