Former Mt. Ararat High pitcher Mark Rogers will make his first start in the majors within the next two weeks.

Milwaukee Brewers Manager Ken Macha intends to start Rogers in one of four games against the Florida Marlins Sept. 23-26 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, according to a report from MLB.com.

Rogers, a right-hander from Orrs Island, was the Brewers’ first-round pick in the 2004 draft.

He made his major league debut in relief Friday night, pitching a perfect ninth inning in a 4-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park. With his fastball topping out at 98 miles per hour, he recorded a strikeout to end the game.

According to MLB.com, Rogers will still be available as a reliever until a few days prior to his start against the Marlins.

The Brewers are on the road this week, with three games against the Houston Astros and three against the San Francisco Giants.

Pitching this season for Double-A Huntsville, Rogers, 24, was 6-8 with a 3.71 ERA in 24 starts. He had 111 strikeouts in 1112/3 innings and limited opponents to a .210 batting average. He also made one start for Triple-A Nashville.

It was Rogers’ second full year back on the mound after he sat out both the 2007 and 2008 seasons recovering from shoulder surgeries.

While spending the 2009 season at Class A Brevard County, Rogers compiled a 1.67 ERA in 22 starts but was limited to a strict pitch count and pitched only 642/3 innings.

 

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at: pbetit@pressherald.com