Saturday, May 28, 2011

Former Viper Morgan Returns To Brewers Lineup:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Nyjer Morgan returned to the Brewers' starting lineup Friday after missing three weeks with a fractured left middle finger. Morgan was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 33rd round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft. Morgan played with the Vipers as an "AP" during the 1996-97 season.

This is posted on the Brewers website:

Morgan, Wilson give Brewers standard roster

By Adam McCalvy and Audrey Snider / MLB.com | 05/28/11

MILWAUKEE -- Outfielder Nyjer Morgan returned to the Brewers' starting lineup Friday after missing three weeks with a fractured left middle finger.

Morgan's return from the 15-day disabled list, coupled with the addition of 30-year-old infielder Josh Wilson via waivers from the D-backs, gave the Brewers something they've lacked -- a standard 25-man roster of five starting pitchers, seven relievers, two catchers, six infielders and five outfielders.

"As I was writing them down there I was saying, 'You know, this is really a nice lineup,'" manager Ron Roenicke said. "Then I looked at the bench and I said, 'You know, this is really a nice bench.' It's versatile, and I like what I saw today."

Including Friday's start, Morgan has played only 16 of the Brewers' first 51 games. Before breaking his finger, which was heavily taped on Friday, he had a previous stint on the DL with a right thigh bruise.

"The key is somebody needs to put away that little voodoo doll so the fans can see 'Plush,'" Morgan said, referring to his on-field alter ego, Tony Plush. "And the organization, the organization hasn't seen Plush."

Just a few lockers away, Wilson wasn't sure what Roenicke wanted from him on Day 1.

"Maybe a right-handed bat off the bench a little bit, maybe give those guys a breather, Casey [McGehee] or Rickie [Weeks] or Yuni [Betancourt], if they need a break or something," Wilson said. "My role is just going to be to show up and do what I can when I can."

Wilson played 302 Major League games with the Marlins, Nationals, Padres, Mariners and D-backs, and Roenicke said he's comfortable playing him at shortstop, second, or third.

Wilson was 2-for-10 with the D-backs this season and hit .351 with a home run and 12 RBIs for Arizona's Triple-A Reno affiliate.

To make room for Morgan and Wilson on the roster, the Brewers outrighted outfielder Brandon Boggs and catcher Mike Rivera to Triple-A Nashville. Both Boggs and Rivera had been outrighted before, and had the right to refuse the assignment. But Boggs accepted Friday, and Rivera is expected to accept Saturday or Sunday.

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