MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Brewers infielder Taylor Green is in Milwaukee on Thursday to have his injured hip examined by team physician Dr. William Raasch.
The 26-year-old injured the hip during spring training and was left behind at the team's minor league facility to rehab in extended spring training. Right when he was about to embark on a minor league rehab assignment, Green aggravated the injury diving for a ground ball.
When the hip wasn't progressing as hoped, the Brewers decided to have Raasch examine the injury further.
"Every time he gets ready to go out on a rehab he has a setback," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "It has happened a couple of times. I know he's discouraged. (Fellow infielder Jeff) Bianchi is out playing on his rehab, so I think it's hard.
"He's had this before. It isn't like it's just flared up. We're trying to figure out what he needs to do to get him back out there."
Though Green hit just .184 with three home runs and 14 RBI in 58 games with the Brewers last season, the versatile infielder most likely would have made the team's Opening Day roster or would have been called up by now because of all the injuries in the infield.
Who starts Saturday? The rainout in Chicago last week pushed up the date Milwaukee will need a fifth starter to Saturday, and the Brewers have determined who they want to take the ball but will wait to announce the decision as they inform those involved.
That means a pitcher is coming up from the minor leagues, likely either Hiram Burgos or Tyler Thornburg. Because both are on the 40-man roster, the Brewers can choose the guy they believe is pitching the best.
Because of a rainout this week, Thornburg is scheduled to pitch Saturday for Nashville, while Burgos' turn falls on Sunday. That means either could be on full rest to pitch against the Cubs. THough no corresponding 40-man roster move has to be made, somebody from the 25-man roster has to be sent down. The most likely two candidates are former fifth starter Mike Fiers and long reliever Alfredo Figaro.
The Brewers will have a decision to make after Saturday's game because a fifth starter is not needed again until April 30.
Lost in the shuffle: Figaro hasn't pitched since April 9 in Chicago, but it has nothing to do with health. Situations and how he's fared in his past two innings has regulated him to a long relief role.
The Brewers needed a long reliever in Tuesday's game, but Roenicke opted to go with Fiers instead.
"The chances haven't been there," Roenicke said. "If he would have been lights out his last couple of outings he would be pitching more. He's in a role now where he's more of a long man because (Tom) Gorzelanny has pitched well and now he's in the eighth inning, but that can change."
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