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 Carlos Villanueva began the season as the interim closer with RHP Trevor Hoffman sidelined with an oblique strain. But RHP Todd Coffey was more consistent in late-inning situations, so manager Ken Macha has begun using Villanueva to set up Coffey. Hoffman is expected to be activated Sunday in Houston.
--RHP David Riske has laxity in the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow and will try to strengthen the elbow with three to four weeks of physical therapy and rehabilitation. If that course of action does not allow Riske to return to the mound, he faces the possibility of Tommy John surgery. Riske, in the second year of a three-year, $13 million deal, has pitched once this season, allowing four hits and two runs in one inning.
--2B Rickie Weeks was cleared to return to the lineup after leaving the game Tuesday night in Philadelphia in the second inning with dizziness. Weeks collided with SS J.J. Hardy going after a grounder up the middle and was struck on the jaw by Hardy's shoulder. Weeks was struck on the jaw earlier in the season by a pitch while attempting to bunt.
MEDICAL WATCH:
2B Rickie Weeks (dizziness) left the April 21 game, but he was back in the lineup April 22.
RHP David Riske (right elbow tightness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 10. He will attempt to rehab the elbow through mid-May, but if he is unsuccessful, he might need Tommy John surgery.
RHP Trevor Hoffman (right oblique strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Nashville on April 21, and he is expected to be activated April 26.
ROTATION:
RHP Jeff Suppan
RHP Yovani Gallardo
LHP Manny Parra
RHP Braden Looper
RHP Dave Bush
BULLPEN:
RHP Todd Coffey (closer)
RHP Carlos Villanueva
RHP Seth McClung
LHP Mitch Stetter
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
