The Brewers' rotation was a major concern in the first week but the starters have settled down, turning in four consecutive quality starts. The offense, expected to be robust, has been a disappointment, however. Through 12 games, the Brewers were batting only .224 and had scored only 49 runs. LF Ryan Braun (.222) and 1B Prince Fielder (.175), the Nos. 3 and 4 hitters in the lineup, have to get going or the Brewers will continue to struggle to score runs. SS J.J. Hardy (.114) and C Jason Kendall (.129) are off to woeful starts as well.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP David Riske left the team to travel to Los Angeles to have a second opinion on his ailing elbow from specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum. Riske was placed on the 15-day disabled list last week with tightness in the elbow. He underwent surgery last September to remove a bone spur.
--SS J.J. Hardy has had trouble adjusting to the No. 5 spot in the lineup after batting second through much of spring training. Hardy is batting only .114, and with just one walk, his on-base percentage is a mere .130.
--RHP Jeff Suppan won Sunday for the first time since last August by holding the Mets to two runs in six innings. Brewers starting pitchers have turned in five consecutive quality starts (11 earned runs in 30 innings).
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP David Riske (right elbow tightness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 10.
RHP Trevor Hoffman (right oblique strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He was scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment April 21.
ROTATION:
RHP Jeff Suppan
RHP Yovani Gallardo
LHP Manny Parra
RHP Braden Looper
RHP Dave Bush
BULLPEN:
RHP Carlos Villanueva (closer)
RHP Seth McClung
LHP Mitch Stetter
RHP Todd Coffey
RHP Jorge Julio
RHP Mark DiFelice
LHP R.J. Swindle
CATCHERS:
Jason Kendall
Mike Rivera
INFIELDERS:
1B Prince Fielder
2B Rickie Weeks
SS J.J. Hardy
3B Bill Hall
INF Craig Counsell
INF Casey McGehee
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Ryan Braun
CF Mike Cameron
RF Corey Hart
OF Chris Duffy
OF Brad Nelson
