Wednesday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while getting ready for a 9:30 am doubleheader. (h/t Rattler Radio)

The Brewers will return to action tonight and look to avoid being swept at home by the Reds. Rickie Weeks says he's fine and will return to the lineup tonight when all the Brewers will wear #42 to honor Jackie Robinson.

Weeks is not the Brewers' only health concern, however. Tom H. is speculating that Ryan Braun may be struggling with his intercostal muscle as well. Getting Braun heated up would do a lot to help this team.

Making sure your best hitters are up in the game's critical stages would also help. Brewed Sports makes an argument that will sound familiar to anyone who frequents our game threads: Allowing Jason Kendall to hit for himself late in close games is not a good decision.

Braden Looper will take on Micah Owings to close out the series tonight. Owings is likely baseball's best hitting pitcher, but will still bat ninth.

Jeff Suppan is getting bumped back a day in the rotation to allow him to get an extra bullpen session in and try to work through some of his early season struggles (also noted in FanShot). With the off day tomorrow, the Brewers could have treated him like a fifth starter in April and skipped his spot entirely. The rotation shuffle means Yovani Gallardo will face Johan Santana on Saturday. Santana may not sleep much between now and then, as his wife gave birth to their first child yesterday.

Down on the farm, Victor Wang of The Hardball Times ranks the Brewer farm system 13th in overall value, with an assessment of $128.52 million. That value could go up dramatically following the 2009 draft, when the Brewers will have five of the top 74 picks.

Looking for something to do this afternoon while waiting for tonight's game? You could listen in to today's Timber Rattlers game, which starts at 12:05. If there's enough interest, I may consider opening up a game thread for it: leave a comment if that's something you'd like to do.

Around the league:

Astros: Brian Moehler has a strained MCL and may miss his next start.
Blue Jays: Jesse Litsch has been placed on the DL with forearm tightness.
Braves: Tom Glavine will take two weeks of rest for his inflamed shoulder, but may consider retirement if further rehab is needed.
Cardinals: Chris Carpenter left last night's start with an oblique strain and is likely headed to the DL.
Dodgers: Reportedly traded Delwyn Young to the Pirates for two players to be named.
Mets: Mike Pelfrey has been attempting to pitch through forearm tendinitis.
Rays: Evan Longoria will miss the next couple of days to attend to a family matter.
Red Sox: Josh Beckett has been suspended for six games for throwing at Bobby Abreu and approaching the plate afterwards.
White Sox: Signed Scott Podsednik to a minor league deal.

I've been saying he'd be the first manager gone for a while now, but I didn't expect the drum to start beating this early: Ken Rosenthal says Cecil Cooper's job as manager of the Astros is already in danger following the Astros' 1-6 start.

Everyone loves a player who says what we're all thinking: New Padres closer Heath Bell is calling out ESPN for their obsession with the Yankees and Red Sox.

Oh, and you can't win a division in April, but you can build a pretty nice cushion in the sausage race standings.

Drink up.