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With a potential suspension looming for backup catcher Martin Maldonado, the Brewers figured they would get Jonathan Lucroy a break while they still can. If Maldonado is indeed suspended, Lucroy will almost certainly be starting every game in his absence. Somewhat coincidentally, Wily Peralta is slated to pitch today. Maldonado had been Peralta's personal catcher for most of 2013.
Of more import, perhaps, is the fact that Ron Roenicke has officially moved Jean Segura down in the order. Segura has been batting second all year, but will now bat seventh with just the light-hitting Maldonado and the pitcher behind him.
Segura has...well, he hasn't looked good this year. We're still only three weeks into the season, but he's hitting at below-Yuni levels with a .233/.263/.301 batting line. That's good for a 54 OPS+. He's also been a ground-ball machine, rarely hitting any fly balls or line drives. Simply put, he has looked dreadful at the plate and is a liability at the top of the order. Add in the fact that he has been caught stealing more times than he has successfully swiped a base and you have an offensive mess.
Segura probably isn't in any danger of losing his starting position; the Brewers still have too much invested in him and he can't stay this horrible forever. There is also a lack of suitable backups: Jeff Bianchi and Elian Herrera are the only other two on the roster capable of playing shortstop and who knows if they'd be much better hitters than Segura, even.
Meanwhile, Peralta is making his fourth start of the season. He's been pretty spectacular so far, with a 1.96 ERA. However, it's worth noting that while he has allowed just four earned runs, eight total runs have come in against him. His 13:5 K:BB ration and 1.5 HR/9 also has him at a 4.61 FIP. He's got his old buddy behind the plate today, though, and the Padres lineup isn't a fearsome bunch. The Brewers could use a nice long start from him today with the bullpen worn down.
