Milwaukee Brewers News Clips - Wednesday, March 11, 2015 - Official Atlanta Braves Website | MLB.com
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Milwaukee Brewers News Clips
Wednesday, March 11, 2015MLB.com PHOENIX -- Kyle Lohse pitched three scoreless innings
Lohse builds case for opener start as Brewers
and Martin Maldonado hit a two-run home run as the
best Reds
Parra on board with learning to play first base Brewers' regulars got the best of their Reds counterparts
Brewers prospect Williams draws Kimbrel in the early innings of Tuesday's 5-3 Cactus League
comparisons
Last call: Lucroy to see action on Minors side victory for Milwaukee over Cincinnati at Maryvale
K-Rod nearer to reporting to Brewers camp Baseball Park.
Journal-Sentinel
Gerardo Parra happy to provide depth at first Lohse scattered two hits and struck out four batters
base
without a walk while working opposite Johnny Cueto in
Brewers beat Reds, 5-3, for first Cactus League
victory a meeting of projected Opening Day starters. In his first
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy cleared for intrasquad
5 2/3 innings this spring, Lohse has struck out seven
games
Brewers spring training report: Tuesday at a batters and walked none.
glance
Miller Park stadium tax could end as soon as
2018 Cueto enjoyed facing a Milwaukee lineup that featured
several players expected to be regulars this season.
Fox Sports Wisconsin
Brewers option pitchers Hellweg, Wang to "It's good to have that, because when you face the
minor leagues veterans, they sit there and just look at pitches," Cueto
Brewers' Clark hopes to gain notice with hot bat
said via translator Tomas Vera. "They let you throw and
AP throw and throw. They take a lot of pitches, because they
Brewers notch first spring-training victory
are looking for something. It's good to face those guys."
CKSN.com
Melvin To Be Recognized On Chatham Signs
Lohse felt differently, and was perfectly content to face a
Blackbourn News lineup with Todd Frazier and Marlon Byrd representing
Chatham’s Melvin Honoured By Council
the only Reds regulars.
Baseball Essential
Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Gomez Made a
"It doesn't matter [that only Frazier and Byrd were in the
Little Girl’s Day
lineup]. I'd rather not see their regular guys, to be honest
with you," Lohse said. "Especially when I'm working on
http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/112064286/kyle-
stuff, it doesn't matter who I'm facing."
lohse-builds-case-for-opening-day-start-as-brewers-best-
reds
The Brewers, who earned their first Cactus League win,
Lohse builds case for opener start as Brewers best
got to Cueto in the first inning before the righty settled
Reds
in. Scooter Gennett led off with a single and moved to
Righty tosses three scoreless innings; Maldonado,
third on Jean Segura's single before Carlos Gomez made
Peterson homer
it 1-0 with a sacrifice fly. Cueto then blanked the
Brewers on only one more hit through the third inning.
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com
March 10, 2015
Maldonado extended Milwaukee's lead when he homered
in the fourth inning against left-hander Ryan Dennick,and Shane Peterson added a two-run homer an inning Maldonado, each of whom has appeared at first base in
later against right-hander J.J.Hoover. the big leagues.
Alex Blandino's two-run single in the ninth ended the "If [Parra] goes there and is comfortable there, he's going
Brewers' shutout bid, and Garrett Boulware plated the to be a plus defender," Roenicke said. "So, who knows?
Reds' final run with an RBI groundout. He likes to do things. He's kind of like 'Maldy.' When
you ask [Parra] to do things, he's like, 'Yeah, I want to do
Up next: It's a "show and go day" as the Brewers take the it!' The good athletes, the ones who are really confident,
morning off before Matt Garza makes his second spring they love to do different things.
start in Scottsdale on Wednesday against Tim Hudson
and the World Series-champion Giants. First pitch is "If we keep working him there, he'll probably be our best
scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT, and the game can be heard defender there."
on Gameday Audio. Garza, who is feeling more settled
in his second Spring Training with Milwaukee, allowed a Parra borrowed a glove Monday from Adam Lind, the
run on five hits and a walk in two innings against the Brewers' projected starting first baseman who has battled
Dodgers last week. back injuries for years. Parra might man first base in an
upcoming Cactus League game.
http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/112067392/brewe
rs-gerardo-parra-on-board-with-learning-to-play-first- "I'll just be ready. You never know when somebody
base needs to play first base, and I'm good to play," said Parra,
Parra on board with learning to play first base who played some first base before he signed with the D-
backs in 2004. "The point is staying in the lineup."
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com
March 10, 2015 The discussion of Parra at first base led to two other
common questions: Would the Brewers consider moving
PHOENIX -- Gold Glove outfielder Gerardo Parra power-hitting but light-armed left fielder Khris Davis to
expects his new first baseman's mitt to arrive within a first base in order to open a spot for a superior outfield
day or two, but for now, his dabbling at the position defender? And what about moving Ryan Braun to first
remains a just-in-case situation for the Brewers, manager base as a long-term solution to the Brewers' trouble
Ron Roenicke said. replacing Prince Fielder?
"We're probably trying to cover ourselves a little better," No and no, Roenicke said.
Roenicke said Tuesday, a day after Parra appeared at
first base in defensive drills. "They tried it before, and it didn't work," Roenicke said
of Davis, referring to a trial period in instructional league
If Matt Clark makes the roster, "the necessity is not there when Davis was a prospect. "The experiment was there
as much," Roenicke said. But if Clark goes to Triple-A, in the Minor Leagues for a reason, and it didn't go very
Parra could be a fallback option for the position along far."
with Brewers catchers Jonathan Lucroy and Martin
3Of Braun, Roenicke said, "Now you're taking a plus
defender in the outfield and moving him to first. … I get That one rough outing aside, Williams -- ranked the No.
the thinking. It's not like it's bad thinking. But he knows 15 prospect in the Brewers' system by MLB.com -- made
he's still a good defender in the outfield, and he doesn't a positive first impression.
want to play first base."
"The first live pitching I faced was Williams, the young
http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/112094522/brewe kid," said Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez.
rs-prospect-taylor-williams-draws-craig-kimbrel- "Unbelievable, that kid. He's got the best stuff I've seen
comparisons all spring. Throwing 96 [mph]. Sliders. I see [Craig
Brewers prospect Williams draws Kimbrel Kimbrel] in him."
comparisons
Kimbrel is the Atlanta Braves' All-Star closer.
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com
March 10, 2015 It was a common comp for Williams in camp.
PHOENIX -- The official record of Brewers pitching "That guy, it was as impressive a live batting practice as
prospect Taylor Williams' first big league camp goes like I've ever seen," said Ryan Braun. "Pure-stuff-wise, as
this: Two-thirds of an inning pitched, three hits, four good a fastball as I have ever seen in live BP. Explosive.
runs, two walks, one wild pitch, then back to the Minor It reminded me of Craig Kimbrel's fastball."
Leagues on Tuesday as part of the Brewers' first spring
cuts. That fastball is headed across the parking lot at Maryvale
Baseball Park to the club's Minor League complex,
One former Brewers pitcher who knows Williams as where Williams will begin to stretch out as a starting
well as anybody believes the 23-year-old will be back. pitcher, probably bound for a prospect-rich rotation at
"I think they've got a gem," said Mike Birkbeck, the Double-A Biloxi.
former big leaguer who was Williams' pitching coach at
Kent State University. "Let me put it to you this way: Williams will begin the season about 10 pounds lighter
He's the nicest kid in the world for 21 hours a day, but than last year, when he continued to evolve as a pitcher.
for those three hours on the mound, he is a competitor. That evolution, Williams said, began with Birkbeck at
"You can sense it when a guy has big league stuff. Kent State.
Taylor has that kind of stuff."
"He's been my biggest mentor since I played there,"
Birkbeck, like Williams, was a fourth-round Draft pick Williams said. "We text all the time, I call him every
of the Brewers, the coach in 1983 and the student in month or two. It's pretty cool, especially because he was
2013. Birkbeck made it to the Majors in 1986 and a Brewer.
pitched parts of six seasons, four with Milwaukee.
Williams, who split last season between the Brewers' two "He said, 'You're good enough. You have nothing to go
Class A clubs, got his first taste over the past three weeks into camp being scared about.'"
and is hoping to follow in his mentor's footsteps.
4Also returned to Minor League camp Tuesday were I want to get comfortable over there, completely knock
pitchers Brooks Hall and Hobbs Johnson, and catcher out any feeling of tightness and all that, make sure there's
Cameron Garfield. Right-hander Johnny Hellweg was nothing there and that we don't re-injure it, because that
optioned to Triple-A Nashville to continue his comeback would be worse. Then come back over here and get after
from Tommy John surgery, and left-hander Wei-Chung it.
Wang was optioned to Class A Advanced Brevard
County. "We're going to take our time. There's no reason to come
out here and get after it because, one, it's not worth it,
"It was a big learning experience," Williams said. "The and, two, there's no need for it. The other [catchers] are
biggest thing was seeing what it takes being around this getting playing time, which is great."
environment. It's eye-opening a little bit. You step into
the locker room and see guys like Ryan Braun and • Brewers medical personnel bumped first baseman
Carlos Gomez and Matt Garza and Kyle Lohse, and Adam Lind (back) from a Wednesday debut against the
you're not necessarily star-struck, but those are guys you Giants to a Thursday debut against the Rockies. The
watch on TV a lot." schedule dictated the change; Wednesday is the first of a
handful of "show and go" days on which players get to
http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/112120656/last- sleep in, dress and play a game. "[The doctors] didn't
call-brewers-catcher-jonathan-lucroy-to-see-action-on- want him just riding a bus, getting over there and
minor-league-side playing," manager Ron Roenicke said. "So we're
Last call: Lucroy to see action on Minors side shooting for Thursday."
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com • Newcomer Corey Knebel, one of the players acquired
March 10, 2015 from Texas in the Yovani Gallardo trade, has been
slowed by a sore elbow that also bothered him late last
PHOENIX -- Last Call is a spot for all the notes and season. But Knebel was "impressive" in a bullpen
anecdotes from Brewers camp that didn't find a home session Monday, Roenicke said, and will throw one more
elsewhere on the site. Today, a slew of medical matters: side session this week before appearing in a game.
• The suggestion that catcher Jonathan Lucroy • Right-hander Johnny Hellweg's comeback from
(hamstring) could be playing Cactus League games for Tommy John surgery has been slowed a bit of late by
the Brewers by week's end may have been premature. nagging back soreness, Roenicke said. The team
Lucroy is scheduled to see live pitching for the first time optioned Hellweg to the Triple-A roster on Tuesday so
on Thursday and Friday in Minor League intrasquad he could continue his work at the Minor League
games, and he suggested he will continue to take things complex.
slowly.
"It's going to be a slow process," Roenicke said. "But the
"I don't want to come over here and do a 50-percent job elbow has been really good."
at first," Lucroy said. "I think that's counterproductive. I
can do that on the Minor League side and be fine with it.
5http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/112071706/franci Phoenix — Gerardo Parra has never played an inning at
sco-rodriguez-takes-step-closer-to-reporting-to-brewers- first base in his 10 years as a professional baseball
camp player, but a first baseman's mitt is on the way to the
K-Rod nearer to reporting to Brewers camp Milwaukee Brewers' spring training complex for him.
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com No, the two-time Gold Glove winner is not moving from
March 10, 2015 the outfield, where he is No. 4 on the depth chart. But he
is more than happy to provide another option at first
PHOENIX -- His work visa approved, reliever Francisco base.
Rodriguez was one step closer to arriving in Brewers
camp as of Tuesday. "The manager ask if I want to play first base and I say
yes," said Parra, who has the kind of can-do attitude that
Rodriguez, who signed a $13 million, two-year contract Ron Roenicke loves in a player.
on Feb. 26, hoped to pick up his visa from the U.S.
consulate in Venezuela on Tuesday or Wednesday, It was no coincidence that Roenicke approached Parra,
according to Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash. Rodriguez 27, about getting in some work at first while newcomer
then would travel to Phoenix to join the team. Since he's Adam Lind is sidelined with lower back issues, a chronic
expected to arrive more than three weeks ahead of problem during his career. But the Brewers expect Lind
Opening Day, the Brewers believe the veteran right- to play in his first game this spring Thursday and
hander will have ample time to prepare to open the hopefully be good from there.
season in the closer's role.
"We're trying to cover ourselves a little better," said
Once he arrives, pitching coach Rick Kranitz will meet Roenicke. "Depending on where we are on the bench and
with Rodriguez to set a pitching schedule. Rodriguez has how many guys we can have do it...with Parra being able
been throwing at his home in Venezuela while waiting to to do it, it does cover us more. He's a nice piece.
clear the various logistical hurdles that came with his
new contract. "If he goes there and he's comfortable there, he's going to
be a plus defender. So, who knows? He takes ground
"I'm not concerned about it, knowing him," Brewers balls there all the time. He did last year, too. He told me
manager Ron Roenicke said. "He gets ready quick. He's last year he could play first."
never had the full Spring Training. He's done this for so
long, he knows what he needs." Parra had played first base when he signed as a free
agent out of Venezuela with Arizona in 2004, but the
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/295784711.html Diamondbacks immediately converted him to the
Gerardo Parra happy to provide depth at first base outfield because he ran well and had a strong arm.
By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel The plan is for the left-handed-hitting Lind to play
March 10, 2015 against all right-handed pitchers and perhaps some
lefties. Roenicke hopes to have a right-handed hitting
6option at first in catcher Jonathan Lucroy and perhaps Brewers beat Reds, 5-3, for first Cactus League
utility infielder Luis Jimenez. victory
Matt Clark, a left-handed hitter whose best position is By Todd Rosiak of the Journal Sentinel
first, could make the team as a bat off the bench. Parra is March 10, 2015
also a left-handed hitter, but Roenicke sees no harm in
having another option. Phoenix – Kyle Lohse pitched three shutout innings and
Martin Maldonado hit a two-run home run as the
"He likes to do things," said Roenicke. "He's kind of like Milwaukee Brewers beat the Cincinnati Reds, 5-3, at
Maldy (backup catcher Martin Maldonado). You ask him Maryvale Baseball Park for their first Cactus League
to do something and he says, 'Yeah, I'll do it.' They get victory on Tuesday afternoon.
excited.
Lohse allowed two hits while striking out four, and he
"The good athletes, the ones that are really confident, combined with Jeremy Jeffress, Jonathan Broxton, Jim
they like doing other things. He has great actions there. If Henderson and Wei-Chung Wang to shut out the Reds
we keep working him there, he'll probably be our best through the eighth inning before Tyler Cravy surrendered
defender there." three runs in the ninth.
Parra has been using one of Lind's first base mitts to David Goforth came on to record the final two outs and
work with but ordered his own. Whether he gets in a earn his first save of the spring.
Cactus League game at that position remains to be seen,
but the 5-foot-11 veteran is up for it. "It's always good to win a game," manager Ron
Roenicke said.
"He said I may play one day," Parra said. "I'm waiting to
get my glove. I think I can break it in, in two or three Milwaukee jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning
days. I'm happy. When you open the door and play first against starter Johnny Cueto after Scooter Gennett and
base and outfield, that's good for me. I know I can help Jean Segura opened with singles and Carlos Gomez
the team. drove Gennett in with a sacrifice fly.
"You never know. I'm happy to do it. We'll see what The Brewers scored twice more in the fourth off Ryan
happens. I feel good there....I'm doing great on ground Dennick, as Gerardo Parra drew a leadoff walk and
balls and throwing. The hard thing is (pop-ups). It's a Maldonado homered to left on a full count.
little bit different but it's not that hard.
Then in the fifth, Segura drew a walk and Shane Peterson
"Maybe I can help if somebody gets hurt and they need a homered off the batter's eye to drive him in and extend
(first baseman) today. It's no problem for me. I feel the Brewers' lead to 5-0.
natural out there."
Maldonado is now hitting .556 (5 for 9) with three runs
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/295831461.html batted in as he continues to start each game behind the
7plate with Jonathan Lucroy still out with a right
hamstring strain. "If everything goes right, he's close."
"Maldy's trying to win the Cactus League MVP," joked Lucroy, who has been participating in all drills except
Roenicke. running, has felt no discomfort and is optimistic he'll be
able to play in games with the Brewers next week.
Matt Clark committed an error at first base, giving the
Brewers (1-5) 10 on the spring and at least one in each "Hopefully, by this time next week I'll be back over
game this spring. here," said Lucroy, who made fast progress after
receiving a platelet-rich plasma infusion in the hamstring
The Brewers travel to Scottsdale on Wednesday to face a week before camp opened.
the San Francisco Giants.
"We'll see what the trainers say. I don't want to come
Earlier in the day, the Brewers announced they had over here and do a 50% jog to first. I can do that on the
optioned RHP Johnny Hellweg to Class Colorado minor-league side and be fine with that.
Springs and sent pitchers Brooks Hall, Taylor Williams
and Hobbs Johnson and catcher Cameron Garfield to "I'm going to get comfortable over there and completely
minor-league camp. knock out any feeling and tightness, and all that. Just
make sure there's nothing there so we don't reinjure it,
Then after the game, the Brewers optioned Wang – who because that would be worse. Then come back over here
pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts – to and get after it."
Class A Brevard County.
Other injury news: First baseman Adam Lind, who has
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/295831461.html yet to play a game while dealing with lower back issues,
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy cleared for intrasquad is set to play Thursday against Colorado. Lind would
games have been scheduled to play Wednesday, but the Brewers
are not working out before heading to Scottsdale to face
By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel the Giants and the trainers want Lind to get stretched out
March 10, 2015 before playing.
Phoenix — Catcher Jonathan Lucroy, held out of Left-hander Dontrelle Willis has not been rescheduled to
exhibition games while recovering from a hamstring pitch since being scratched Saturday with a stiff neck.
injury, is slated to see his first action this spring in
minor-league intrasquad games Thursday and Friday. "I don't have a schedule for him yet," said Roenicke.
"He's doing better, but he's still coming in here for
"If everything goes well with Luc, he'll go over there," treatment early in the mornings. It's making it tough on
said manager Ron Roenicke. "He's at a point where he him."
can run. So, if he gets a hit, he can run the bases. So
hopefully we're close to getting him back with us.
8Right-hander Corey Knebel, who has yet to pitch in a Michael Blazek. I learned a lot from all of them, just
game after experiencing elbow soreness, threw a bullpen seeing how they go about their business every day."
session Monday and will throw another before being
cleared for action. Knebel was shut down at the end of http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/brewers-spring-
the 2014 season in the Texas' farm system with an elbow training-report-tuesday-at-a-glance-b99459438z1-
issue, but Roenicke said this was not deemed serious. 295850631.html
First player cuts: In their first player moves of camp, the Brewers spring training report: Tuesday at a glance
Brewers optioned right-hander Johnny Hellweg to Class
AAA Colorado Springs and left-hander Wei-Chung March 10, 2015
Wang to Class A Brevard County. They also returned
pitchers Taylor Williams, Hobbs Johnson and Brooks On the field: Cincinnati threw a scare into the Brewers
Hall and catcher Cameron Garfield to minor-league with three runs in the ninth but they hung on to win, 5-3,
camp. for their first Cactus League victory in six tries. Martin
Maldonado, batting .556 this spring, and Shane Peterson
Hellweg is recovering from Tommy John surgery and each socked two-run homers. "Maldy is trying to get
was not ready to pitch in a game. He recently was set MVP of the Cactus League," said manager Ron
back a bit by back issues and likely will remain in Roenicke. Right-hander Kyle Lohse was sharp in his
extended spring training until ready to pitch somewhere. three-inning start, allowing two hits, no runs and no
walks with four strikeouts. "He's the same guy," said
"We're trying to make sure we're doing the right steps Roenicke.
with him," said Roenicke. "He's still in a bullpen
(throwing) mode and he's going to be that way for a Cactus juice: Word out of Venezuela was that closer
while. It's going to be a slow process." Francisco Rodriguez had his work visa approved and
was expected to pick it up by Wednesday. All that was
Williams was impressive early in camp while throwing left was to schedule a flight to Phoenix, and the Brewers
live batting practice but struggled in his one exhibition expect him in camp Friday or Saturday at the latest.
outing, allowing three hits, two walks and four runs in Roenicke said the remaining three weeks of camp would
one inning. Nevertheless, he said he benefited from his be plenty for the veteran right-hander to get ready for the
first big-league camp. season. "I'm not concerned about it, knowing him," said
Roenicke. "He gets ready quick. He has done this for so
"It was an extremely big learning experience," he said. long. He knows what he needs."
"Being around all the guys, the coaches, getting this
opportunity to grow and get better every day and learn, Weather: 79, sunny.
that's been the biggest thing. Just seeing what it takes,
being in this environment. Scoreboard: Brewers 5, Reds 3. Record: 1-5. Next game:
Brewers at Giants, 3:05 p.m. Tuesday. Milwaukee RHP
"All the guys were great to be around. I got to work in a Matt Garza (0-1, 4.50) vs. San Francisco RHP Tim
group with Kyle Lohse, Wily Peralta, Jimmy Nelson and Hudson (first outing). Radio — AM-620.
9The new estimate was given to the Miller Park stadium
Countdown: 26 days until opening day, April 6 vs. district board on Tuesday.
Colorado at Miller Park.
Mike Duckett, the district's executive director, said that
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/miller-park- when enabling legislation creating the sales tax was
stadium-tax-could-end-as-soon-as-2018-b99459797z1- being considered in 1995, proponents projected a 5.5%
295802891.html annual growth rate in sales-tax revenue. That never
Miller Park stadium tax could end as soon as 2018 occurred.
By Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel State law requires that once all debt to finance and
March 10, 2015 construct Miller Park is paid off and a fund has been set
up to pay for maintenance and capital improvements, the
A Miller Park stadium district consultant said Tuesday district can retire the sales tax. The district board has
that the 0.1% stadium sales tax could be retired as soon stated repeatedly that is its No. 1 priority.
as 2018 or as late as 2020.
Extending the Miller Park stadium tax, an idea that has
There is some reason for optimism the sales tax can be surfaced periodically as a funding mechanism for a new
retired sooner than later. Last year, the district downtown arena, would require new state legislation.
experienced an increase in sales tax revenue of 8.78%, Miller Park was constructed at a cost of $393 million,
which is far higher than in recent years. according to the district, though the Legislative Audit
Bureau in Madison disputed that amount in a 2002
The sales tax, used to finance and construct Miller Park, report, saying $413.9 million was spent through
began in 1996 and is collected in Racine, Milwaukee, December 2001.
Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties. In 2014,
$28.4 million was collected in the five counties. According to district figures, the district still owes $195
million in principal and interest debt-service payments.
The sunset estimate by PFM Group is based on historical The original total debt service was $524 million.
sales-tax growth patterns and the district's own
investments. In recent years, the average annual growth http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/milwaukee-
in sales tax revenue has been disappointing, especially brewers-option-pitchers-johnny-hellweg-wei-chung-
compared with earlier years. wang-to-minor-leagues-031015
Brewers option pitchers Hellweg, Wang to minor
Before this year, sales-tax revenue declined in three of leagues
the previous five years.
By Andrew Gruman/FOX Sports Wisconsin
Last year, PFM Group estimated that the sunset date for March 10, 2015
the stadium sales tax could come as late as 2021.
The Milwaukee Brewers made their first series of roster
moves Tuesday, including optioning right-hander Johnny
10Hellweg to Triple-A Colorado Springs and left-hander "I like to see the guys we think highly of on the minor-
Wei-Chung Wang to Class-A advanced Brevard County. league side," Roenicke said. "It is hard when they are
Catcher Cameron Garfield, right-hander Brooks Hall, telling me about a guy for a couple of years and I never
right-hander Taylor Williams and left-hander Hobbs see him. Then all of a sudden you get a phone call, 'Hey,
Johnson were returned to the minor-league side, leaving what do you think? You need a spot starter. Do you want
the Brewers with 50 players in big-league camp. to take a chance?'
Hellweg is working his way back after undergoing "We are familiar with him now. We know what kind of
Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last April. The stuff he has. He was trying to get after it a little too much
right-hander has yet to appear in a game this spring. He the other day."
has been set back this spring due to a back issue, but he
has had no issues with his elbow. Johnson allowed an earned run in his lone inning of the
spring, while Hall threw a scoreless inning Monday.
"We're trying to make sure we take the right steps with Both are likely to begin the season in the Biloxi rotation.
him," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "He's still in K-Rod expected soon: Francisco Rodriguez is getting
the (throwing bullpen sessions) mode. That's going to be closer to reporting to camp, as Roenicke told reporters
that way for a while . . . It is going to be a slow process." Monday that the veteran reliever has had his work visa
Milwaukee's minor-league pitcher of the year in 2013, approved in Venezuela.
Hellweg is expected to begin the season in the Triple-A
rotation at Colorado Springs. He went 1-2 with a 4.95 Rodriguez agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract
ERA in four Triple-A starts last season before being shut with Milwaukee on Feb. 26. Roenicke is hopeful to have
down on April 21. his closer in camp by the end of the week.
Wang will get to develop in the minor leagues after the "He still has to go down (to the United States consulate)
Brewers were forced to keep the Taiwanese left-hander and get his visa," Roenicke said. "I don't know when that
in the majors last season after selecting him from happens. Hopefully there's a flight out of there and we
Pittsburgh in the Rule 5 Draft. get him here at the end of the week."
The 22-year-old has tossed three scoreless innings with http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/milwaukee-
three strikeouts this spring. Baseball America ranks brewers-matt-clark-hopes-to-gain-notice-with-hot-bat-
Wang as the seventh-best prospect in Milwaukee's 031115
system. Brewers' Clark hopes to gain notice with hot bat
Williams, who impressed early in camp, allowed four By John Pesetski/FOX Sports Wisconsin
earned runs in 2/3 of an inning Saturday against Texas. MAR 11, 2015 10:30a ET
Ranked as Milwaukee's No. 15 prospect by MLB.com,
Williams will likely start the season with Double-A PHOENIX -- Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Matt
Biloxi. Clark has wasted little time reminding the organization
of the promise he showed in a September call-up last
11season. Through the first six games of Cactus League State product acknowledges that his experiences abroad
play, Clark is batting .462 with six hits in 13 at-bats, have shaped his approach to the game.
including a double and a pair of home runs. He sports a
gaudy 1.462 OPS through Tuesday. "I learned a lot seeing how the game is played in so
many different ways," Clark said. "For example, in Japan
"Anytime you can get going right away, it eases your everything is so precise and every hitter is under a
mind a little bit," the 28-year-old said of his fast start. microscope. Teams will spend a lot of time trying to find
"You like to get out there and show people what you can your weakness and then they'll exploit it. You learn and
do, especially when you're trying to make a club. Even if you learn to adapt to wherever you are."
they know what you can do, you like to show them what Given how long it has taken him to get this far, Clark
you can do early." appreciates the position he is in with the Brewers.
Among those who have noticed Clark's hot start is "To come up last season and do some things well when
Brewers outfielder Khris Davis. In 2013, Davis, who had the games really mattered in September and to be able to
only played 111 games above Double-A, turned a torrid show this team that I can contribute to some wins gives
spring training into a spot on the Brewers Opening Day you a boost of confidence," said the California native.
roster. "Then to come in this year knowing that the organization
wants you here and you have a chance at a job, I've never
"He's good. He's a good hitter with some good hands. had that. You just want to show everybody what you can
He's got the power to go op (opposite field)," Davis said do."
of Clark. "We talk hitting on the bench. He's definitely
baseball savvy." Brewers manager Ron Roenicke likes how Clark is
handling the pressure that comes with fighting for a
Signed by the Brewers last July after a stint in the Mets roster spot.
minor-league system, Clark hit .313 with 16 home runs
in 53 games at Triple-A Nashville before being called up "He's a smart guy. He understands how to hit. He
to Milwaukee on Sept. 2. He made his major-league understands how to drive in runs," Roenicke said. "Last
debut that same day against the Chicago Cubs. In sixteen year he had a couple really big hits off lefties. In his
games with the Brewers, Clark hit only .185, but career, he's always been pretty good against lefties. And
smashed three home runs and drove in seven runs as the he's a good defender.
team battled for a playoff berth.
"He's doing everything he can to make this team. Guys
Clark was a 12th-round draft pick of the Padres in 2008 that come in to camp that know that they have to perform
and played at every minor level in their organization well to make the team, there's real pressure. I was in that
from 2008-12. However, in 2013 the Padres sold Clark's spot as a player. If you can perform well under that
contract to Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central pressure in spring training, I feel real confident that when
League. In his only season in Japan Clark hit .238 with it's on the line during the season, you're going to be that
25 home runs and 70 RBI. He's also played winter ball in same guy."
Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The Louisiana
12For his part, Clarks knows he is fighting for a roster spot win season, said through a translator. "I felt good even
and understands what he could bring to the club. though you don't have a lot of time out there."
"You always have an idea where you fit and I've talked Maldonado, getting plenty of playing time with catcher
to Ron a few times," Clark said. "I know Lind is going to Jonathan Lucroy still out with a hamstring problem, is
play first base, but there's always a spot on the bench for hitting .556 for the spring (5 for 9) with a double, a triple
a guy like me. A left-handed hitter with some pop, I can and a homer.
play first and I can play some outfield too. It's always
good to have somebody that can get up there and "Maldy's trying to get MVP of the Cactus League,"
intimidate a pitcher. I know my role. I'll do what I can do Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said. "It's always nice
and see how it works out." to win a game, although we still got sloppy on a couple
of plays. But it was better and we had some good
If Clark keeps hitting like he has through the first five offense."
games of spring training, things might work out all the
way to Milwaukee. Shane Peterson had a two-run homer and Jason Rogers
got three hits for Milwaukee.
http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/milwaukee-
brewers-notch-first-spring-training-victory-031015 Lohse had a little mechanical issue with his delivery but
Brewers notch first spring-training victory the results were good. He struck out Brayan Pena and
Todd Frazier to end the first and Brennan Boesch to end
By AP his outing in the third with runners on first and third.
MAR 10, 2015 7:22p ET
"I was coming out of my delivery a little bit, but I was
PHOENIX -- Kyle Lohse threw three scoreless innings, able to figure it out by the third inning," said Lohse, who
Martin Maldonado homered and the Milwaukee Brewers has allowed one earned run with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3
beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 Tuesday for their first win innings. "We're down here to learn how to consistently
this spring. deliver the ball. It doesn't matter to me who I'm facing."
The Brewers had been outscored 27-14 in losing their Milwaukee expects first baseman Adam Lind to make
first five exhibition games. his first Cactus League appearance Thursday against
Colorado. He has been slowed by lower back stiffness.
Lohse, projected as the opening day starter, allowed two He has battled back problems for the past four years.
hits and struck out four. Meanwhile, catcher Jonathan Lucroy will play in minor-
league games on Thursday and Friday with an eye
Reds starter Johnny Cueto gave up a run and three hits in toward a Cactus League game as the next step.
three innings.
http://www.cksn.ca/2015/03/doug-melvin-to-be-
"Spring is a little boring, but it's what you have to do to recognized-on-chatham-signs/
get ready for the season," Cueto, coming off his first 20- Melvin To Be Recognized On Chatham Signs
13The Chatham native will soon have his name displayed
By Ian Kennedy/CKSN.com alongside Fergie Jenkins on several Chatham-Kent
March 10, 2015 Chamber of Commerce gateway signs across the city.
At Monday’s Chatham-Kent Municipal Council meeting, “I always wanted to be like Fergie and I told him when I
council passed a staff recommendation to recognize got inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame member Doug Melvin. that it was one way to be like Fergie and I guess this is
The recommendation suggests that Melvin be recognized another way,” says Melvin. “Being recognized by your
on gateway signs entering his hometown of Chatham, hometown is quite an honour and I want to thank all
Ontario. The signs are the Chatham-Kent Chamber of those involved who were a part of this and allowed me
Commerce’s gateway signs. this opportunity.”
Melvin, who was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Melvin, who is currently the GM for the Milwaukee
Hall of Fame in 2012, is currently the general manager of Brewers, says he’s planning to stop by Chatham
Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers. sometime in April for a few days and hopes to see the
sign in person.
The 62-year-old executive has been the general manager
of the Milwaukee Brewers since 2002, before which he http://www.baseballessential.com/news/2015/03/10/jonat
was the general manager of the Texas Rangers from han-lucroy-and-carlos-gomez-made-a-little-girls-day/
1994-2001. Melvin has also worked with the New York Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Gomez Made a Little
Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles since Girl’s Day
his playing days ended in the late 1970s.
By Jeff J. Snider/Baseball Essential
Fellow Chatham product and Major League Baseball March 10, 2015
Hall of Fame member Fergie Jenkins is currently
recognized on signs entering Chatham. On a day when Milwaukee Brewers’ manager Ron
Roenicke made news by announcing that All-Star catcher
http://blackburnnews.com/chatham/chatham- Jonathan Lucroy is recovering so quickly from his
news/2015/03/11/chathams-melvin-honoured-by- hamstring injury that he might be ready to play in Cactus
council/ League games by the end of this week, Lucroy quietly
Chatham’s Melvin Honoured By Council made a more momentous impression in the life of a
young Milwaukee girl.
By Matt Weverink/blackburnnews.com
March 11, 2015 5:14am I was on the field Monday to watch Lucroy. Knowing he
was coming back from injury, I was interested to see
Long-time Major League Baseball General Manager how he looked in batting practice. Watching the ball
Doug Melvin is honoured that he’s being recognized by jump off his bat as he drove line drive after line drive
his hometown. into the right-center field gap, I thought I had my story.
Then he ended his first round of hitting with a quick
14practice bunt, walked out of the batting cage towards the days of sun and baseball. Kelci was able to meet her
first-base dugout, and beckoned to someone in the favorite player, Gomez, who presented her with her
dugout to join him on the field. I turned to see a shy little personalized jersey. She also spent quite a bit of time
girl with a long blonde braid hanging down from beneath during batting practice with another favorite, Lucroy.
a Brewers hat. Lucroy encouraged her again, and as she
came out to join him, I saw that she was wearing an As a catcher, Lucroy is very dependent on his legs, so he
oversized number 27 jersey in honor of her favorite could have been forgiven for focusing more on his
player, Carlos Gomez, but instead of “Gomez,” her recovery and rehab than on Kelci, but he didn’t. He stood
jersey said “Wunschel.” and talked with her while his teammates took their
swings in the cage, often crouching down so he could
Kelci Wunschel is nine years old, and she has battled talk with her at her level. When it was his turn, he would
cystic fibrosis her entire life. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic step back into the cage, take his cuts, and then head back
disorder that affects mostly the lungs but also the to Kelci. In one round, he hit a home run to left field,
pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestine. There is no cure, then turned and gave Kelci a little grin.
and the average life expectancy is between 37 and 50
years in the developed world. When Lucroy’s group finished hitting, Kelci joined the
players in gathering up the baseballs from the infield.
Kelci and her parents, Dewey and Karen, have been She left the field with a bat, a ball, and a look on her face
active in the effort to find a cure for CF, participating in that mixed awe and elation.
runs and bike rides to raise awareness. They have also
caught the attention of the Make-A-Wish® Foundation. Less than an hour later, it was 46 degrees in Milwaukee
Make-A-Wish started in 1980, when some police officers and 75 degrees in Phoenix, where Kelci Wunschel stood
helped to make 7-year-old leukemia patient Chris in front of the mound at Maryvale Baseball Park, the
Grecius’s wish come true by making him an honorary spring home of the Brewers since seven years before she
fellow officer. That experience changed the lives of the was born. Her new friend Jonathan Lucroy crouched
officers involved, and several of them formed Make-A- down behind the plate as she delivered the pregame first
Wish, a non-profit organization dedicated to making pitch.
wishes come true for more children like Chris. They had
their first official Make-A-Wish kid in 1981, and have
made dreams come true for over 226,000 children since,
including about 14,000 last year. The foundation has
grown to 61 chapters in the U.S. and operates in 45 other
countries through 38 affiliate offices.
One of those 226,000 children is now Kelci Wunschel,
whose wish was to come to Spring Training in Arizona
to see the Brewers play. Through a joint effort of the
Wisconsin and Arizona chapters of Make-A-Wish, Kelci
and her family flew from Wisconsin to Arizona for a few
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