Phoenix - Outfielder Gabe Gross is one of the hotter hitters in the Milwaukee Brewers' camp.
But you wouldn't know it from looking at his batting average.
On Thursday afternoon, just 24 hours after hitting a monstrous 470-foot homer, Gross went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and two RBI. With his second two-hit game in as many days, Gross raised his spring batting average to an unimpressive .216.
Manager Ned Yost isn't overly concerned with the statistics sheet at this point.
"He's hit a lot of balls on the nose for outs," Yost said. "We're looking for good at-bats and he's had good at-bats."
Gross, one of three players acquired from Toronto in the Lyle Overbay trade last winter, might have been pressing early in camp, Yost said.
"He's on the right track now," he said.
Though he was frustrated at times, Gross did not panic. Other than last year, when he matched a Blue Jays franchise record with eight spring-training homers, he has been a slow starter.
Anything to help: Right-hander Dave Bush, who earned the No. 4 spot in the starting rotation with an outstanding camp, said he would have been just as satisfied with a job in the bullpen.
"Either one would have been fine with me," said Bush, another of the three players acquired from Toronto in the Overbay trade. "Whether you're in the pen or the rotation, you have to get guys out.
"The starter's routine, that part I like. But it's kind of exciting in the bullpen waiting for the phone to ring, too."
Bush continued his strong spring with six shutout innings Thursday against the Giants. In five outings, he is 2-0 with a 0.90 earned run average. In 20 innings, he has walked two batters and struck out 14.
Injury updates: Leftfielder Carlos Lee (strained groin) missed his third straight game Thursday and the streak will reach four today, as Lee is scheduled to take part in a full workout at Maryvale while the rest of the team practices in Tucson. Lee is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday.
Right-hander Rick Helling, who has been slowed by arm soreness, will make a three-inning, 45-pitch start in minor-league camp today.
Second baseman Rickie Weeks (strained right oblique) has been taking part in fielding drills and doing some work in the cage but has not been cleared to participate in batting practice. Yost said that might come today and that Weeks would only need "a day or two" of batting practice before returning to game action.
Reliever Kane Davis has been sidelined of late with a case of shoulder tendinitis. Given the timing, it could possibly hamper his candidacy for a spot on the 25-man roster.
Turnbow deal: The Brewers continue to negotiate with the agent for closer Derrick Turnbow on a two-year contract extension. General manager Doug Melvin said the sides exchanged proposals Wednesday and agreed to talk again soon.
Turnbow, who signed a one-year deal for $488,000 earlier in camp, is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time after the season. By extending him for two more years, the Brewers would buy out two years of arbitration, which could save money if he has banner seasons.
If a deal is struck, Turnbow said his 2006 contract would be torn up and a three-year deal put in its place.
"They're still talking about it," Turnbow said. "Right now, I'd say it's 50-50."
Opening act: New Pittsburgh manager Jim Tracy has tabbed lefty Oliver Perez to start against the Brewers on opening day April 3 in Milwaukee. Tracy also said lefty Zach Duke would pitch the third game of that series.
Seeking to split up his lefties, Tracy plans to choose between right-handers Brandon Duckworth and Victor Santos for the second game. Santos was released by the Brewers after going 4-13 with a 4.57 ERA in 29 games (24 starts) last season.
Notebook: With Weeks and J.J. Hardy sidelined by injuries, Bill Hall hasn't seen a lot of action in the outfield. That will change soon. Yost expects to use Hall in center three times before the end of camp. . . . Newly acquired right-hander Allan Simpson, released by Cincinnati last week, is scheduled to throw in the game today.
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Originally Posted by Kingdom_of_Zito
