Injuries to two bullpen candidates for the Milwaukee Brewers have shaken up the competition for the last open spots on the roster, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes.
In addition to Yhonathan Barrios' shoulder injury that will likely require surgery, left-hander Sean Nolin is expected to miss time with an elbow injury. As a result, a few veterans in camp on minor league deals could have a shot to stick around as relievers.
Southpaws Franklin Morales and Chris Capuano and right-hander Blaine Boyer will all have a chance to prove themselves before the deadline for them to become free agents instead of being optioned to the minors comes around five days before the Brewers' opener.
"With guys like Chris and Blaine and Franklin, there's the innings they've pitched here, the long track records, the recent history," manager Craig Counsell said. "There's the contract situation. From a performance standpoint, none of them have eliminated themselves."
Morales hasn't been scored on in two outings, Capuano has a 2.08 ERA in 8 2/3 innings and Boyer has a 3.68 ERA in 7 1/3 innings this spring. Virtually assured a spot in Milwaukee's bullpen are Will Smith, Jeremy Jeffress, Michael Blazek, Corey Knebel and Tyler Thornburg, Haudricourt writes.
