Shaun Marcum may be on the Brewers’ Opening Day roster, after all.
After delivering three shutout frames in his Cactus League debut Sunday against the Dodgers, Marcum tossed five shutout innings in a minor league exhibition game this afternoon. He allowed just one hit while striking out seven and walking none.
Marcum has been slowed this spring due to shoulder inflammation, so the Brewers kept him on the minor league side this time around so they would still have the option to backdate a potential stint on the disabled list. However, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke previously told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that if Marcum threw well today, he would throw in another Cactus League game before the team broke camp. It looks like he’ll get his chance.
Marcum, 30, posted a 3.54 ERA and 158/57 K/BB ratio over a career-high 200 2/3 innings last season. He is due to hit free agency this offseason.