Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Former Viper Morgan Earning More Playing Time:

Here's a article that was posted over the weekend on former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Nyjer Morgan. Morgan played as an "AP" player with the Vipers during the 1996-97 season.

This was posted on the Brewers website:

Morgan earning more playing time

By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com | 04/09/11

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers traded for Nyjer Morgan at the end of Spring Training to bolster their depth in center field, but he is suddenly earning a more prominent role in the team's right-field rotation.

Manager Ron Roenicke cautioned against calling Morgan a regular just yet.

"As long as he keeps doing well and Corey [Hart, the team's injured right fielder] is not back here, then he will be out there quite a bit," Roenicke said. "I'm not going to say he's everyday, but he will be out there quite a bit."

Invoking Hart indicated that Roenicke plans to continue using Morgan in right field and not as a more regular starter in center, where the Brewers remain committed to Carlos Gomez. For Friday's series opener against the Cubs, Gomez started in center field and batted second, and Morgan was in right field batting seventh.

Gomez bunted for a pair of singles in Thursday's win, and Morgan set up the Brewers' winning run with a double, a steal of third and then a plate collision with Braves catcher Brian McCann on an infield grounder. He also made a pair of nice catches in right field.

Entering the Cubs series, Morgan was 6-for-13 (.462) with a double, a triple and a stolen base.

"He does bring a spark when he's getting on base and when he's making great plays in the outfield," Roenicke said. "He's really nice to have."

If Morgan starts more, it would come most at the expense of veteran Mark Kotsay, a fellow left-handed hitter who started for the Brewers on Opening Day.

Kotsay had his first two Brewers hits in Wednesday's win over the Braves and is off to a 2-for-11 start to his Brewers career.

Hart remains sidelined with a strained left rib-cage muscle. He did some aggressive outfield running drills on Friday but continues to feel discomfort in his side when he tries hitting or throwing at full strength.

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