Hand surprised by removal from roster

PHOENIX -- Brewers reliever Donovan Hand was looking forward to his first Spring Training as a member of a 40-man roster when the situation suddenly changed.

Hand was designated for assignment last week to make room for the return of Francisco Rodriguez, then spent a few tense days wondering whether he would be claimed on waivers. When Hand cleared waivers, the Brewers outrighted him to Triple-A Nashville and invited him to big league camp.

In the end, he reported Saturday with the rest of the team's pitchers and catchers.

"It worked out pretty good in the end [for the team]," Hand said. "They've got everybody, still."

He will have to win his way onto the roster, just like Hand did last year when he pitched to a 3.69 ERA in 31 games, including seven starts. He hoped his performance would lead to a spot on the Opening Day roster for 2014.

Instead, his 40-man roster spot went to Rodriguez.

"I'd be lying if I didn't say yeah, it did surprise me a little bit," Hand said. "But it's part of the business here. I love this organization. This will be my seventh year here, but of course, you want to be back in the big leagues and on the roster. You always wish for that."