Rogers' shoulder well enough to pitch

Published Apr. 20, 2013 4:56 p.m. ET

foxsports

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Mark Rogers will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Huntsville as he tries to work his way back from a right shoulder injury.

Placed on the disabled list March 26 with right shoulder instability, Rogers had the Brewers puzzled about his drop in velocity during spring training. Usually hitting the mid-90s with his fastball, Rogers topped out at 89 mph in his final spring training outing.

After his March 12 appearance, Rogers backed off for 12 days before giving it ago March 24 against Colorado. The right-hander allowed two earned runs on two hits with two walks and two strikeouts in three innings and still couldn't overcome velocity and command issues.

Out of minor league options, Rogers had to make the Opening Day roster or the Brewers would have had to risk losing him on waivers in order to get him to the minor leagues.

Rogers, 27, was expected to compete for a spot in Milwaukee's rotation after going 3-2 with a 3.92 ERA in seven starts at the end of last season.

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