KANSAS CITY -- Brewers catcher Manny Pina couldn't have picked a more nostalgic place to make his return from a right calf strain. Pina, who was activated from the disabled list before Tuesday night's 5-2 win, spent a lot of time in the Royals' organization from 2009-12.
Pina, who went 0-for-4 in the series opener, has fond memories of his time in which he laid the groundwork for where he is this season as a prominent member of a Brewers team that has designs on a special season.
To make room for Pina, the club optioned catcher Jacob Nottingham to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
"Everything is good," Pina said. "I've been feeling good the last three days."
Pina made his Major League debut on Aug. 3, 2011, when the Royals called him up.
"I remember going 2-for-4 and we won the game," Pina said.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell said the club is confident that Pina is physically ready for a reboot after playing 10 games in early April.
Nottingham was 0-for-5 at the plate in his short stint with the Brewers, but Counsell thinks a taste of the Majors will bode well for the young catcher.
"The best part was that he had to catch two games where every pitch was meaningful," Counsell said.
Vogt to swing
Counsell said the next step for Stephen Vogt, recovering from a right shoulder injury, will be getting his swings in Arizona in an extended spring training environment.
"He's leaving [Wednesday] night for Arizona," Counsell said. "He can start getting at-bats."
Arcia ill
Shortstop Orlando Arcia, who tweaked his right ankle on Friday against the Marlins, was set to play on Tuesday, but Counsell scratched him due to a stomach flu episode.
"He would have been in there otherwise," Counsell said.