Jim Edmonds will bat fifth and play right field today when the Brewers open the 2010 season against Colorado at Miller Park.

Edmonds, signed as a non-roster free agent during the winter, gets the start over incumbent Corey Hart, who struggled to get into a groove during Cactus League play.

Hart hit .172 as  he battled through a number of issues, especially with his vision, and then had a hard time getting comfortable at the plate and never really got going.

Edmonds, meanwhile, showed little sign of rustiness after sitting out last season, batting .292 (14-for-48) with two home runs and 13 RBI.

Hart said he spoke with manager Ken Macha shortly after the lineup was posted Monday. He says he is disappointed but understands the decision.

"It's disappointing but I told Macha I'll come to the field ready to play every day and if I'm not in there," Hart said. "I'm not worried about it. I'm going to get my at-bats. Obviously, I'd like to be in there but at the same time, I'm never going to not be ready to get in there."

Hart showed improvement during the two exhibition games at Miller Park over the weekend, something he attributed to a more relaxed presence at the plate.

"We just tinkered and tried to find something that worked," Hart said. "He suggested something, I tried it and the ball started coming off my bat better and going farther. Somehow, it slowed me down; I wasn’t moving as much in the box. I tried it out the last few days and it worked out pretty good.

"The last couple days have been the best I felt all spring. That’s comforting going in – that I know what I need to do to feel comfortable in there."

Here are the lineups for Monday's game:

Colorado:

Carlos Gonzalez, cf
Seth Smith, lf
Todd Helton, 1b
Troy Tulowitzki, ss
Brad Hawpe, rf
Chris Iannetta, c
Ian Stewart, 3b
Clint Barmes, 2b
Ubaldo Jimenez, p

Milwaukee:

Rickie Weeks, 2b
Carlos Gomez, cf
Ryan Braun, lf
Prince Fielder, 1b
Jim Edmonds, rf
Casey McGehee, 3b
Gregg Zuan, c
Alcides Escobar, ss
Yovani Gallardo, p

Some other notes: Gallardo's 22 career victories are the most among first-time Opening Day starters this season; he is one of nine first-time starters this season ... the roof at Miller Park is open today; pregame temperatures were in the high 60.