Wednesday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while finding a second ball.

If you missed last night's game, you might be wondering why so many of us are holding our breath this morning. Mat Gamel left last night's game after the first inning with what's initially been called a "twisted" right knee suffered when he attempted to avoid a collision with the wall while tracking a foul pop up. We haven't heard more specifics, but I'm operating under the assumption the team a) sent him in for an MRI and b) will hold him out of the lineup today. Ron Roenicke expressed concern after the game last night.

This might actually be the best news on the topic: Brooks Conrad, who would seem like the most likely candidate to be called up if Gamel has to go on the DL, is in the lineup today for Nashville. He's also starting at first base, though. The Sounds play at noon today, by the way.

Meanwhile, the Brewers wasted an excellent start from Shaun Marcum (seven scoreless innings) and lost 2-0 to the Padres on Mark Kotsay's eighth inning home run off Francisco Rodriguez, who already has three losses in 2012. Nicole has the recap, if you missed it.

Alex Gonzalez was one of just three Brewers with a hit last night and also turned a very nice double play. Josh Wussow wonders if Gonzalez is the Brewers' best offseason acquisition.

Other notes from the field:

• Ryan Braun's sixth inning stolen base was the 100th of his career, making him the eleventh Brewer to reach that mark.
• Last night's game was the first time since April 6 the Brewers completed a game's first five innings without allowing a run. They still allowed the Padres to score first.
• Nicole has a look at last night's turning point and a transcript of Ron Roenicke's postgame comments.
• Mark Kotsay, Francisco Rodriguez and Edinson Volquez are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game voting.
• Carson Cistulli of NotGraphs captured some audio of Bob Uecker's fictitious description of past uses of the Western Metal Supply building in left field at Petco Park.
• Here's a picture of Uecker with longtime Padres broadcaster Jerry Coleman.
  

On most other days, this would have been today's top story: Padres pitcher Cory Luebke is having today's scheduled start pushed back due to elbow soreness, so San Diego is calling up Jeff Suppan to pitch the final game of the three game set tonight (FanShot). Morineko points out that the decision was made on short notice and was probably made because it would've been Suppan's day to start in AAA. Suppan hasn't pitched in the majors since finishing the 2010 season as a Cardinal.

Josh Liebeskind of MLB.com has a preview of today's 5:35 start. Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs is not impressed with tonight's matchup, giving it a 4 out of 10 on his NERD scale. It's tied for the second least interesting game of the day. Meanwhile, The Catlantis has a list of things they don't want to hear today. Jack Moore of Disciples of Uecker has a look back at Suppan's best month as a Brewer.

Rickie Weeks went 0-for-3 with a walk yesterday and is now hitting .180/.318/.348 this season. Ron Roenicke told Adam McCalvy he's not considering moving Weeks out of the leadoff spot and is waiting for him to break out.

A day later, there's still lots of chatter going on regarding Ryan Braun's three homer game Monday:

• Jeff Sullivan of Baseball Nation has a look at Braun and the unusual nature of records.
• Wendy Thurm of FanGraphs attempted to put the performance in perspective.
• Matt Eddy of Baseball America says it was the best game of 2012 by runs created.
  

Braun and Zack Greinke, by the way, were named the Brewers' Player and Pitcher of the Month for April.

Looking forward, the Brewers have announced their rotation plans for this weekend's series against the Giants:

Marco Estrada would have started the middle game in the series, but the Brewers have decided to skip his spot this time (FanShot).

Back in Milwaukee, Chris Narveson had successful surgery yesterday to repair his torn rotator cuff and some previously unreported damage to his labrum. It still looks like his best case scenario is being ready to go when pitchers and catchers report next spring.

In the minors:

• The affiliates went 2-1 last night and Brooks Conrad, Taylor Green and Martin Maldonado combined for nine hits in Nashville's 8-5 win over Omaha. You can read about that and big nights for Hunter Morris, Wily Peralta and Brandon Kintzler in today's Minor League Notes.
• Nashville broadcaster Jeff Hem has a two part interview with Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash.
• Guy Curtwright of MiLB.com has a profile of Scooter Gennett.
• John Sickels of Minor League Ball attended a recent Nashville/Iowa game and has notes on Brooks Conrad, Sean Halton and Mike Fiers.
• Wisconsin needs your help choosing one of eight candidates for 2012's fans' choice bobblehead.

If you'd like more Brewer coverage today but you're sick of reading, my weekly appearance on The Watercooler with Jimmie Kaska on AM 1400 WBIZ in Eau Claire has been archived.

If you weren't around yesterday you might have missed the debut of SB Nation Pick 6, our new daily fantasy game. Congratulations to MGT on being our inaugural winner. Today's first game starts at 11:30, so there's only a few minutes left to make your picks for today.

If you're finding you're having a hard time keeping up with all the posting going on at BCB lately (there were 15 front page entries yesterday), we're here to help. I posted a quick guide yesterday on changing your site preferences to keep more stories on the front page.

Around baseball:

Astros: Placed pitcher Rhiner Cruz on the DL with an ankle sprain.
Cardinals: Designated outfielder Erik Komatsu for assignment.
Giants: Placed pitcher Jeremy Affeldt on the DL with a knee injury and designated outfielder Tyler Graham for assignment.
Indians: Designated infielder Jose Lopez for assignment.
Phillies: Placed first baseman Jim Thome on the DL with a back injury.
Rays: Placed third baseman Evan Longoria on the DL with a partially torn hamstring.
Twins: Designated third baseman Sean Burroughs for assignment.

Komatsu was a Rule 5 pick. If another team claims him off waivers they can take him, but would have to keep him on their active roster for the rest of the season or offer him back to the Nationals. Otherwise the former Brewer farmhand will likely be returned to Washington's organization.

Meanwhile, this morning's edition of Around the NL Central has updates on the injury statuses of Astros pitcher Kyle Weiland, Lance Berkman of the Cardinals and Reds infielder Miguel Cairo.

In former Brewers: Mark Simon of ESPN says Jerry Hairston Jr. was baseball's best defensive player in April.

New Oakland outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has been a sensation in his major league debut this spring, but that may not have been enough to elude some financial issues: Cespedes reportedly promised a combined 22% of his income to a Dominican baseball academy and his agent, but has failed to deliver.

This morning's edition of Today In Brewer History notes the 41st anniversary of a Brewer doubleheader in New York where pitcher Marcelino Lopez got his first Brewer hit and became one of just three relievers in franchise history to pick up two RBI in a game. Chris Jaffe of The Hardball Times notes that it's also the tenth anniversary of Mike Cameron's four home run game as a Mariner in 2002.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get "caught in traffic."

Drink up.