PHOENIX – Usually during split-squad games, Ron Roenicke stays back at Maryvale Baseball Park.
Tuesday, however, the Milwaukee Brewers' manager made the 25-minute trek across Phoenix to get a good look at players fighting for a roster spot as the Brewers took on Oakland at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Roenicke wanted to focus his attention on a few of the team's young pitchers, notably right-handers Tim Dillard and Frankie De La Cruz. Prospect Cody Scarpetta also was on the list of pitchers scheduled to work against Oakland.
"Split-squads, you're trying to cover it all," Roenicke said. "The good thing is I'll see some guys play full games; the bad thing is I won't see some guys I want to see."
He was able to get a good look at starting pitcher Mike Fiers, who allowed a solo home run to Manny Ramirez to lead off the second inning. The right-hander threw two innings and gave up just two runs (one earned) with four strikeouts.
After going 5-3 with a 2.64 ERA in 22 appearances (eight starts) at Class AA Huntsville last season, Fiers was promoted to Class AAA Nashville, where he posted an 8-0 record and a 1.11 ERA in 12 appearances (10 starts), striking out 69 and walking 22.
Another strong start for Greinke: Right-hander Zack Grienke worked three scoreless innings, allowing a walk and a hit while striking out five in the Brewers’ 7-4 loss to Seattle at Maryvale.
"It felt real good again," Greinke said. "On a real good page with (catcher Johnathan) Lucroy again. It feels good doing that. It always kind of helps to stay with the same catcher. Felt like a good page, working with (pitching coach Rick Kranitz) good and Lucroy good. So it felt nice."
In three starts this spring, Greinke has allowed one earned run on seven hits with a walk and 11 strikeouts in seven innings.
Marcum moves to the mound: Starter Shaun Marcum, sidelined for more than a week with shoulder soreness, was scheduled to throw a light bullpen session Tuesday. Should that go well, he'd throw another session later this week before being re-evaluated.
Roenicke thought Marcum has been progressing well and could be ready in time to make his first start of the regular season, presumably sometime during the opening series against St. Louis at Miller Park.
"If everything went perfect, he'll probably be ready to go that first outing," Roenicke said. "The pitch count would certainly have to be lower. If you remember last year, he was so efficient with his pitches that he could throw his 80 pitches and be in the sixth inning, easy."
Frustration for Kintzler: Right-hander Brandon Kintzler's spring training experience has been nothing short of forgettable.
He came in for X-rays on Monday, the team's day off, and was awaiting word on what was found. Team physician Dr. William Raasch was in camp Tuesday and expected to do an evaluation.
"They'll check him out today and see if they need to do some further evaluations with some other doctors," Roenicke said.
In the meantime, Kintzler remains shut down.
Quick hits: Class AAA Nashville manager Mike Gurerro was the manager for the Brewers' game against Seattle at Maryvale … Lefthanded pitcher Juan Perez is still at Maryvale Hospital where he is recovering from a partially-collapsed lung … Outfielder Nyjer Morgan had a good day Tuesday, going 2-3 with a walk and two stolen bases against Oakland … The Brewers have lost all four of their split-squad contests this spring ... Aramis Ramirez hit a pair of doubles and both George Kottaras and Travis Ishikawa homered in the loss to Seattle.
On deck: The Brewers travel to Mesa on Wednesday to face Dale Sveum and the Chicago Cubs at Hohokam Park. First pitch is at 3:05 p.m. CDT.
