Manager Craig Counsell said that Middlebrooks has a chance to make the Brewers roster even though Aaron Hill will get the first crack at the starting third base job, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Naturally, the announcement that Hill will get the first chance at third base hurts Middlebrooks' value, but it is reassuring to hear that his place in the organization isn't entirely in jeopardy even if he doesn't have the starting job. The 27-year-old has had some tough times the last couple of seasons, but he does have some power and has a career .736 OPS against left-handed pitching, so he could find a spot as a power bat off the bench if he has a good spring.