Roenicke ponders left field options if Braun's suspended
If Ryan Braun is suspended for the first 50 games of the 2012 season for a reported positive drug test, manager Ron Roenicke will have an interesting situation on his hands in left field during spring training.
Even if Braun is suspended, he will be allowed to participate in spring camp, including exhibition games. That means he is bound to see some action in left field during game action.
But Roenicke also would have to figure out what he'll do in left field in Braun's absence and give that player or players enough action during exhibition play to get ready for the season.
"If you look at last spring, 'Braunie's' at-bats were lower than most of the other guys," said Roenicke, recalling that Braun had some health issues that limited his play.
"I don't think it'll be an issue. I'm planning on him being there. That's the best way to go about it. We do have to have a plan in case something happens. We've already taken care of a lot of things.
"We'll adjust to it if we have to but I don't think the at-bats will be much of an issue. It's easy to get guys at-bats in spring training."
The primary candidate to fill in for Braun would seem to be Norichika Aoki, the Japanese outfielder who signed a two-year deal with the Brewers over the winter to play in the major leagues for the first time. But the Brewers have no idea how Aoki's skills will translate to the big leagues, and will be watching him play for the first time.
"We do want to give Aoki all the at-bats he needs," said Roenicke. "But this isn't a young guy. He knows what he needs to do to get ready for the season. There's a balance there."
Another option would be to play Nyjer Morgan in left and Carlos Gomez in center. But Roenicke really liked the way the platoon of Morgan and Gomez worked in center field last season and would like to keep the status quo.
To provide outfield depth, the Brewers signed veteran Corey Patterson to a minor-league deal. Patterson was not invited to the big-league camp but could always come over from the minor league side to join the fray if necessary.
Copyright (C) 2012 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
