The Sports Xchange
MLB Team Report – Milwaukee Brewers – INSIDE PITCH
One area of the pitching staff that was no problem whatsoever for the Brewers this season was the closer’s role, where Jim Henderson was 9-for-9 in converting saves since replacing John Axford early in the season.
That changed when Henderson strained his right hamstring Friday night, one out away from securing a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Henderson was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday after it was determined he would need several days to recover.
“It isn’t a serious pull,” Henderson said after being examined by team physician William Raasch. “We’re just kind of taking the better-safe-than-sorry route right now.
“If they weren’t going to DL me, there would probably be that pressure to rush back. So, we’ll just take our time with it. It’s the first time for me. Hopefully, in a few days it settles down a bit, I’ll get rid of this limp and I can walk around better. The biggest thing for me is I want to keep my arm in shape.”
In Henderson’s absence, manager Ron Roenicke said he’d probably use pitcher/hitter match-ups to determine how he will close games. But veteran Francisco Rodriguez, who recorded the final out Friday night after Henderson was forced to leave the game, has a foot in the door to pitch the ninth inning, probably ahead of Axford, who has been used earlier in games.
“I think we like what we’re doing with ‘Ax’ right now and we’ll probably continue to do it that way,” said Roenicke.
“It’s tough right now,” said Henderson. “We’re getting hit (with injuries). Some guys come back from the DL and other guys are going on. We still haven’t played this year full-strength, and I know it’s hurting us in all areas of the game.”
To replace Henderson on the roster, the Brewers selected the contract of Triple-A Nashville reliever Donovan Hand, who had not appeared at the major-league level, prior to the Brewers 5-4 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. To make room on the 40-man roster for Hand, right-hander Mark Rogers (shoulder instability) was transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL.
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MLB Team Report – Milwaukee Brewers – NOTES, QUOTES
RECORD: 19-29
STREAK: Lost two
PAST 10 GAMES: 3-7
NEXT: Twins (Kevin Correia, 4-4, 3.90) at Brewers (Wily Peralta, 3-5, 6.45 ERA)
PLAYER NOTES:
–RHP Wily Peralta tries to snap a three-game losing streak when he takes the mound Monday against the Minnesota Twins at Miller Park. During his last three starts, opponents have hit .324 against Peralta, who has allowed 13 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings of work. This will be Peralta’s first appearance against Minnesota.
–RHP Donavan Hand joined the team Sunday after his contract was selected from Triple-A Nashville. Hand replaces Jim Henderson on the active roster after the Brewers’ closer was put on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. In 16 appearances with Nashville, Hand was 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA and struck out 32 batters in 28 1/3 innings of work. To accommodate Hand on the 40-man roster, RHP Mark Rogers was moved to the 60-day disabled list. Hand made his major league debut in the fifth inning. He allowed a run on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts in a two-inning stint.
–RHP Mark Rogers was moved to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for RHP Donovan Hand. Rogers has been on the DL since March 25 with shoulder issues.
–RHP Yovani Gallardo lasted just four innings Sunday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks. In five May starts, Gallardo went 0-4 with a 5.53 ERA and twice failed to work past the fourth inning. Gallardo did strike out seven Sunday and needs just 14 more to reach 1,000 for his career.
–SS Jean Segura went 2-for-4 and scored Sunday and now leads the National League with 21 multi-hit games. Segura has hit safely in 16 of his last 20 games. During that stretch, Segura is batting .357 (30-for-84) with four home runs and nine RBIs. His .344 average this season is second in the NL.
–RHP Francisco Rodriguez worked a scoreless ninth inning Sunday. He allowed one walk and has retired 13 of 14 batters he’s faced this season since rejoining the Brewers on May 16.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “A lot of pitches in four innings. His ball/strike count wasn’t his usual again but I thought his stuff was good … it’s surprising when I think he has good stuff and he struggles to get through four innings like that.” — Manager Ron Roenicke on RHP Yovani Gallardo after a loss Sunday.
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MLB Team Report – Milwaukee Brewers – ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
–RHP Jim Henderson (strained right hamstring) was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 25.
–RHP Hiram Burgos (right shoulder impingement) was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 24. Burgos lasted just 3 1/3 innings in his last start.
–RHP Mark Rogers (right shoulder instability) went on the 15-day disabled list March 25 and was moved to the 60-day DL on May 26.
–INF Taylor Green (labral tear and bone spurs in left hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 15. He had season-ending surgery April 23.
–LHP Chris Narveson (sprained left middle finger) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 7. He threw a bullpen session May 21 and is slated to pitch live batting practice May 24 before going on a minor league rehab.
–1B Mat Gamel (right knee surgery in March 2013) went on the 60-day disabled list March 20. He is out for the season.
–1B Corey Hart (right knee surgery in January 2013) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 9. He began running May 11 and the Brewers are hopeful he can begin a minor league rehab assignment by the end of May.
ROTATION:
RHP Yovani Gallardo
RHP Marco Estrada
RHP Wily Peralta
RHP Kyle Lohse
BULLPEN:
RHP Jim Henderson (closer)
RHP John Axford
LHP Michael Gonzalez
RHP Mike Fiers
RHP Burke Badenhop
RHP Brandon Kintzler
RHP Alfredo Figaro
RHP Francisco Rodriguez
LHP Tom Gorzelanny
RHP Donavan Hand
CATCHERS:
Jonathan Lucroy
Martin Maldonado
INFIELDERS:
1B Alex Gonzalez
2B Rickie Weeks
SS Jean Segura
3B Aramis Ramirez
INF Yuniesky Betancourt
INF Jeff Bianchi
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Ryan Braun
CF Carlos Gomez
RF Norichika Aoki
OF Logan Schafer
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