Jonathan Lucroy's four game rehab assignment with Wisconsin wrapped up on Sunday, and he went 4-for-12 with a double and a stolen base with the Timber Rattlers. He also took the opportunity to work with Wisconsin's catching duo, 2009 second round pick Cameron Garfield and 2010 tenth round pick Rafael Neda.
Lucroy worked with the two catchers on their throws to the bases and controlling the running game during their early work Sunday morning.
"The last day we did a couple of throws on the bases for early work and just picked his brain on the running game and throwing and whatnot," Garfield said. "Anytime you have a guy like that in the clubhouse you're going to try to learn as much as you can."
"I got a couple of good tips that I'm definitely going to use in the game, and it was good to just see a good example for a big leaguer on the field just teaching us how to do things the right way. It's pretty cool," Neda said.
Lucroy caught the early innings on Thursday and Friday, served as the DH on Saturday and caught six innings Sunday. Both regular catchers lost a little playing time this weekend to make room for him, but Neda classified the situation as "a win-win."
"Of course it's going to take some of your playing time, but in the time you're not playing you're just trying to learn some things from him," Neda said. "I'm kind of resting a little bit and learning at the same time. So it's definitely going to help me in the long run."
Garfield especially bounced around a bit with Lucroy in town. He moved over to DH for Thursday's came, caught the final innings in place of Lucroy on Friday, had an off day Saturday and was the DH again Sunday before moving back into a starting role Monday night.
"It's never easy but you just have to get into the right frame of mind and know what you have to do that day," Garfield said. "I think that's the biggest challenge but I'm just grinding right now and trying to get my at bats in and doing a good job for the team."
Garfield went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk Monday night. He's hitting .301/.399/.512 in 37 games for Wisconsin this season.
Lucroy is expected to open the second phase of his rehab assignment with Nashville tonight. If all goes well he could rejoin the Brewers at home on Thursday.