MARYVALE, Ariz. -- Despite the loss of their shortstop for up to a couple months, and lingering questions about their No. 1 starter, the Milwaukee Brewers remain upbeat and determined in spring training camp.

"Miller Park will energize us to play games and bring in some money, but we think we're going to put some pretty good players on the field and want to give the fans reasons to keep coming back," said first baseman Richie Sexson. "We have some good arms and bats in our lineup. We want to go into the new ballpark and build something."

Sexson said he expected the No. 1 starter, Jeff D'Amico, to be fine by the start of the regular season. D'Amico, who has a history of major shoulder problems, has been nursing a sore bicep. He could be pushed back in the rotation and open the first game in Miller Park, with Jamey Wright starting the season opener in L.A.

Mark Loretta, the starting shortstop, will miss up to two months after undergoing surgery on his left thumb last Thursday.

"Losing Lo creates a hole on defense and in the No. 2 spot, but hopefully we have the guys like Jose (Hernandez) and Louie (Lopez) who can step up and fill the hole for a couple months," Sexson said.

Leftfielder Geoff Jenkins, who along with Sexson signed a four-year contract extension this winter, agreed with his teammate.

"You can't really make up for a guy like Lo," Jenkins said. "He provides a whole lot of intangibles. Otherwise, everybody is upbeat. I think everybody thinks we're going to be a lot better.

"Fans are going to be excited about the ballpark no matter what, but we want to put a good product on the field. We might as well start sooner rather than later. I'd like to start with the first game."

Pitcher Jimmy Haynes said the pitching staff is committed to improving on its strikes to walks ratio and responding to the extra excitement from Miller Park.

"Everybody is feeling that way," Haynes said. "I think each one of us has committed to improving. If we can do that, we already have one of the better bullpens in the league from last year, and we've added Jeffrey Hammonds and some veterans who should help on offense."

Perhaps the guy taking the most "wait and see" attitude in the clubhouse is manager Davey Lopes.

"The mood should be upbeat in the clubhouse, but at the same time we're going to have to be better at this (coping without Loretta) than we were last season," said Lopes, referring to how the Brewers struggled when Loretta missed two months with a broken toe.

"We'll start Jose (Hernandez) over there, and probably play Louie (Lopez) some too, but I have to get offense from these guys as well as defense. Losing Mark creates a hole in the No. 2 spot."

Lopes could lead off with Ron Belliard and hit Tony Fernandez second, if the veteran wins out in the competition for third base. Hammonds also could be moved up in the lineup.

"I'd rather not move Jeffrey because he's an RBI guy, and I like 3-6 in our lineup," he said. "I liked 1-6 before Loretta was injured. If Tony makes the team, he gives us some options."

Fernandez is competing with Tyler Houston for third base now that Hernandez will play mostly at short. Lopes has said he hopes the 38-year-old Fernandez, who played in Japan last season, could still play 100 games.

"We have to wait and see what develops in the last couple weeks down here," Lopes said. "We have to see who produces. I do like the mood and attitude down here though. Miller Park is creating excitement, and giving these guys some extra incentive. They don't want to be a losing ballclub in a brand new ballpark."

-- By the way, the above buzz feature was prompted by a question from last week's column by Jill French, who asked if the Brewers could have a good team in Miller Park. Here are a few other responses to questions from readers of this column and from the Message Board of The Brew Crew Review.

"A Fan" asked who was going to be the fourth and fifth starters in the rotation. Lopes is still noncommittal, but Paul Rigdon and Gold Medal winner Ben Sheets have pitched better than anybody in camp and likely will get the spots.

"Ernie Riles" asked if baseball players are more fragile than other athletes. Geoff Jenkins doesn't think so, but he did add "we need to stay healthy this season."

Bob asked if the Brewers would have any interest in recently-released Ruben Rivera. Again, Lopes was noncommittal, but I can say the club probably has no interest.

Bork, a regular hitter on the Review message board, asked if Lou Collier was a lock to make the team, now that Mark Loretta is injured.

Collier has had a good spring. In fact, he was the Brewers' candidate for Cactus League Player of the Week, but Angel Echevarria has had an outstanding spring and can play the outfield and first. Luis Lopez can play the middle infield. However, after Sunday's game in Tucson, Lopes said that Collier and Echevarria will both make the team.

About 20 readers asked questions, so look for a few more answers in next week's column.

-- Have fun at the Miller Park open houses this coming weekend. Season ticket holders get to tour the place Friday. The general public can check it out Saturday and Sunday. Thousands of fans are expected to flock to the new park.

Bucks Buzz

The Portland Tribune reported recently that Bucks coach George Karl has not signed a contract extension because he could be called upon to replace Mike Dunleavy with the Portland TrailBlazers.

Karl worked for Blazers' GM Bob Whitsitt in Seattle. The Tribune reported that Karl and Whitsitt might try to orchestrate an off-season deal to get Seattle guard Gary Payton in a Portland uniform.

For a couple months, Karl has contended that the Bucks are not competing for his services with any other NBA team, but that he has not signed the deal because he isn't sure if he wants to continue to coach in the NBA after his current contract. The Tribune sources were not revealed and the report could end up nothing but wishful thinking by Blazers' front office people.

But, Karl does love the Pacific Northwest, has family in that area of the country and loves Gary Payton. So who knows? The best way to squash the rumor would be for Karl to sign Herb Kohl's offer, which reportedly includes 1% ownership in the team.

Gregg Hoffmann has covered Milwaukee sports for state and national media since the late 1970s. He also is the author of "Down in the Valley: The History of Milwaukee County Stadium."