THE PAST: RHP Brooks Brown pitched for the Mud Hens in 2009 and 2012 after coming to the Detroit system in a trade with Arizona. He was 3-13 with a 4.71 ERA here in 2009 and last season when 4-4 with a 4.90 ERA. Brown signed with Pittsburgh as a six-year free agent. … LHP Andy Oliver came to Toledo for the first time in 2010, his first pro season. That year he was 3-4 with a 3.23 ERA in nine starts here; in 2011 he went 8-12 with a 4.71 ERA with the Hens, and last season he split time between starting and the bullpen and was 5-9 with a 4.88 ERA. Oliver was traded to the Pirates in the deal that sent C Ramon Cabrera into the Tigers system (he is with Double-A Erie). … IF Brandon Inge played for the Mud Hens in all or part of seven different seasons (2000-03, 2008, 2011-12). He also spent 12 seasons with Detroit, with his best seasons coming in 2006 (.253 average, 27 homers, 83 RBIs) and 2009 (.230-27-84). He signed with Pittsburgh as a free agent this off season.
THE FUTURE: Brown is working out of the Indians’ bullpen, where he has given up two hits and three walks in two innings and has a 9.00 ERA. … Oliver was Indy’s opening day starter against Columbus and give up just two hits and three walks in six shutout innings, striking out six along the way. If he continues with that command, Oliver won’t be with Indianapolis long – he will be called up to Pittsburgh. … Inge has played in the Tribe’s first four games, batting .182 with a solo home run accounting for his only RBI. He has struck out four times in 11 at-bats but also has drawn four walks for a .438 on-base percentage. It’s interesting to note that Inge, who is on a rehab assignment with Indianapolis after suffering a fractured shoulder blade March 14, played three games at second base (and was the DH for the fourth). My understanding is that his rehab assignment may end as early as Wednesday, and the chances are good he will NOT be with the Indians when they come to Toledo.
