Brewers News: Who’s on First, Gallardo Cleared for WBC

Who will be the Milwaukee Brewers opening day first baseman? That question is yet to be answered after Mat Gamel who will have surgery to repair a torn right ACL for the second time in less than a year.

The 27-year-old Gamel was the team’s Plan B for first base after Corey Hart had surgery on to address a torn meniscus and nerve damage in his knee. It was originally thought that the 30-year-old Hart would be out until late May, but now there is hope he can return a month earlier. Hart produced3 30 home runs and 83 RBI in 2012.

The Brewers moved Hart from right field to first base last May when Gamel suffered a torn right ACL that prematurely ended his season. While Hart emerged as a run-producing bat at first base, Norichika Aoki hit .288 with 10 home runs, 50 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 520 at-bats as the club’s starting right fielder.

According to Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke, the club will turn to an internal option to man first base until Hart is healthy. Veterans like Alex Gonzalez and Bobby Crosby (who is attempting a comeback) are possibilities. Another alternative is highly regarded prospect Hunter Morris.

The left-handed hitting Morris, who was drafted by Milwaukee in the fourth round out of Auburn University in 2010, is 3-for-18 (.167) with one home run this spring. He rippped 28 home runs and drove in 113 lasst year at Double-A Huntsville. Gonzalez is 3-for-8 while Crosby is hitless in three at-bats. Taylor Green, a 26-year-old left-handed hitter, is also a candidate to fill in for Hart at first base.

More Brewers News: Yovani Gallardo has been cleared to start for Mexico on Friday night against Team USA. Gamel is scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday in Scottsdale, Arizona to repair a new tear in his right ACL. Aramis Ramirez expects to miss 7-10 days with a sprained left knee.