Getting over that Winter cold? At least it's not the 'injury bug'...

After a couple days of exercises and drills, the Brewers had their first bad injury day, with good news and bad news.

I''m always been a bad news first kind of guy, so I'll issue it like that: catcher Jon Lucroy, who is the projected opening day catcher, fractured his right pinky today. No word yet on how long it'll keep it out, but it is certainly a significant injury. I had seen this year as being Lucroy's coming out party, and I'm very fond of him as a person as well as a player, so I'm taking the news maybe a lil harder than most. As manager Roenicke said though "at least it's very early in camp". I'm no doctor, but I could see him being back by opening day. It's just unfortunate as he'll miss time getting to know and work with 2 new starting pitchers.

Speaking of, one of those new pitchers, Zack Greinke, was held out of his bullpen session today because of a "rib contusion" (basically, bruised side). Not seen as being serious, and he even said he would have gone out, but the medical staff wanted to take every precaution with their new prize. Greinke did an interview yesterday about his social anxiety disorder, which made him leave baseball for a year back in 2005. Basically, Greinke isn't a big people person, which is completely contradictory to the type of fanfare players receive in baseball. However, he remains focused on the game and has said he wants to go out and do a good job. So what if he doesn't want to give interviews every day? As long as he pitches well, I see no issue worrying about here.

Top prospect Mark Rogers also experienced 'shoulder tightness' today, and had his bullpen session cut short as a precaution. He said it wasn't bad, just sore. Of course, having had 2 surgeries on that shoulder in the past, it's no surprise the medical staff had him call it day when it happened. After being on a limited program in his recovery the past few years, Mark is reins free and ready to let it all hang out, I'm excited to see what he can bring to the table.

And last but not least, Mat Gamel, who is just one injury after another it seems, had a tight oblique and cannot hit for 7-8 days. Poor Mat,  lots of talent, but seemingly no stamina. I saw it as a longshot for him to make the 25-man roster, and now that goes even further.

But in light of all these injuries, they could all be far, far worse. The Cardinals received word today that they may have lost Adam Wainwright, their ace and best pitcher, for the season as he will likely need Tommy John surgery. Tough break for him and that team, and it certainly is a giant blow to their chances of winning the division. Not that I'd count out any team with Albert Pujols, but Wainwright has been their rock the past 2 seasons, he will be sorely, sorely missed. Look no further than the Diamondbacks to see how losing your best pitcher for two seasons can undermine your chances, even when your #2 is more than capable of taking that #1 spot.