What we learned: March 23, 2015

This Weekend's Results

Friday: Brewers 5, Diamondbacks 3
Saturday: Brewers 12, Rangers 2
Sunday: Brewers 13, White Sox 4

It was a very successful weekend for the Brewers, with 30 runs scored over the three weekend games. Here are some highlights from the weekend:

• Ryan Braun appears to be finding his swing. In Friday's game, he hit a home run in the fifth inning, and also drew a walk earlier in that game. He ended the weekend on a three-game hitting streak.
• Jimmy Nelson allowed three runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings on Friday, but admitted after the game that he was throwing at 80-percent effort to avoid overexertion.
• Luis Sardinas had four hits in Saturday's game against the Rangers to go along with two RBI.
• Kyle Lohse allowed one run on four hits in five innings on Saturday.
• In Sunday's game, the Brewers hit five home runs overall. This included back-to-back home runs from Jonathan Lucroy and Ryan Braun, as well as a home run from Logan Schafer.
• In his start on Sunday, Matt Garza allowed two runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings.
• Francisco Rodriguez made his first appearance of the spring on Sunday. He allowed one run on three hits with two strikeouts.

Brewers News and Analysis

• You voted for Miguel Diaz at #19 in the BCB Community Prospect Rankings. There's still time to vote for the final spot at #20, where Jason Rogers has taken the lead.
• Jim Henderson's return from surgery hasn't been going well for him. On Friday, the Brewers sent him to minor-league camp to work on his velocity (FanPost from TWreck). Adam McCalvy spoke with Henderson and he believes that he can regain his velocity with some time. Currently, it's uncertain if Henderson will begin the season on the disabled list or optioned to the minors.
• With the departure of Jim Henderson from big league camp, the bullpen race is down to three candidates for the final bullpen spot. McCalvy notes that Tyler Thornburg, Chris Perez, and Rob Wooten are competing for the final spot in the bullpen.
• The Brewers played the Rangers on Saturday, and had a chance to catch up with Yovani Gallardo after his trade to Texas. Adam McCalvy spoke with Gallardo on his feelings about the trade and his new start with the Rangers.
• Do sports writers need to be tougher with the teams that they cover? That's what Enrique Bakemeyer of The Brewers Bar is asking, as he wonders if team writers need to ask more tough questions about the organizations they cover.
• FanGraphs began a series on positional power rankings today. First up is catcher, where Mike Petriello ranks the Brewers catchers at #6, noting that the planned platoon of Jonathan Lucroy will bring the catchers' value down.
• Marcus Young of Miller Park Prospects has a list of five relief pitching prospects to watch this season.
• The yearly auction for the Uecker seats on Opening Day begins today. Cait Covers the Bases has the details on how you can bid for one of these seats.

NL Central Update

This Weekend’s Scores

Friday

• Pirates (SS) 6, Phillies 5
• Pirates (SS) 4, Twins 2
• Mets 5, Cardinals 4
• Cubs 10, White Sox 7
• Reds 6, Giants 5

Saturday

• Cardinals 1, Braves (SS) 0
• Red Sox 2, Pirates 2
• Athletics 8, Reds 1
• Cubs 12, Mariners 10

Sunday

• Astros 14, Pirates 2
• Cardinals 8, Orioles 6
• Reds 4, Athletics 3
• Padres 6, Cubs 1

Today’s Games

• Pirates @ Rays - 12:05 pm
• Cardinals @ Red Sox - 12:05 pm
• Reds @ Rangers - 8:05 pm
• Cubs have the day off.

Around Baseball

Roster News

• Angels pitcher Cory Rasmus will miss six to eight weeks following surgery.
• Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu will start the season on the disabled list with an injured left shoulder.
• The Rangers signed infielder Tyler Pastornicky to a minor-league deal.
• The Rockies released starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin.
• The White Sox signed outfielder Adam Eaton to a five-year, $23.5 million extension, with two options that could push the total value to $43.5 million over seven years.

Today’s Action

The Brewers travel to face the Rockies this afternoon. Wily Peralta is being bumped to the minor-league camp for today, and Tyler Thornburg will get the start in his place. First pitch is at 3:10 pm, and it will be available on the Brewers Radio Network.