After some secrecy from Brewers manager Ron Roenicke on Monday night as to who would take Shaun Marcum's vacated start Tuesday, the Brewers confirmed reports that big-time prospect Tyler Thornburg will take the hill for Milwaukee against the Blue Jays.
To make room for Thornburg to be called up to the major league roster, utility infielder Brooks Conrad was designated for assignment. In 44 plate appearances, Conrad had just three hits for the Brewers this season, two of which were home runs.
Marcum will miss Tuesday's scheduled start due to elbow tightness, and Roenicke said Monday night that he didn't want to lean on his already-overworked bullpen for a by-committee game. And though Thornburg was supposed to pitch in the Southern League All-Star Game on Tuesday night, he'll be making his major league debut instead.
The 6-foot, 190-pound 23-year-old has been one of the Brewers' best prospects this season with an 8-1 record and 3.00 ERA in 13 starts at Double-A Huntsville. Thornburg was a third-round pick in the 2010 draft and has 71 strikeouts in 75 innings pitched this season.
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