MILWAUKEE -- An already long list of Brewers outfield candidates grew by one Thursday when the team retained Shane Peterson, who'd been designated for assignment last week.
Peterson cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs. The Brewers extended him an invitation to Major League camp, which will be stocked with at least 12 outfielders -- eight on the 40-man roster, plus another four non-roster invitees.
Many of those players, including Peterson, will get a look in center field. Peterson got the first crack at the position last season after the Brewers traded Carlos Gomez and Gerardo Parra, but eventually moved back to the bench so the team could evaluate organizational newcomer Domingo Santana.
Besides Peterson and Santana, manager Craig Counsell will spend the spring giving center-field reps to the likes of Keon Broxton, Ramon Flores, Rymer Liriano and Kirk Nieuwenhuis along with non-roster invitees Brett Phillips, Alex Presley and Eric Young Jr. All are new to the organization since last year at this time.
"I think center field is probably the place where we are going to have to make the most evaluations in the spring," Counsell said this week at Brewers On Deck. "At some point we have to decide how you want to make up the roster and what skills you want on the roster and how guys complement each other. That's going to be important."
The Brewers are more set at the corner outfield positions, where Khris Davis and Ryan Braun are returning. Santana is also best suited to a corner spot, though Counsell is willing to give him a chance in center field.
Originally claimed off waivers by the Brewers in December 2014, Peterson appeared in 93 games last season and batted .259/.324/.353. He was effective off the bench, going 10-for-34 (.294) with three doubles.
The Brewers designated Peterson for assignment last week when they acquired Liriano from the Padres.