What we learned: April 23, 2015

Yesterday's Results

Reds 2, Brewers 1

Jimmy Nelson and Johnny Cueto went head-to-head in a pitcher's duel yesterday. Both pitched eight innings, allowing only one run in the first inning. Nelson was the better of the two, but the team couldn't back him up. Francisco Rodriguez came in for the ninth inning and allowed a run on a wild pitch to give the Reds the lead, and the Brewers couldn't come back in the ninth inning. Elian Herrera would score the only run for the Brewers on an Adam Lind RBI single.

Brewers News & Notes

• Mark Attanasio flew to Milwaukee yesterday to discuss the team's bad start, but also made it clear that he isn't here to fire the manager or the GM. Noah put together his opinion on what the Brewers should be doing in this situation.
• Meanwhile, on his Brew Beat blog, Adam McCalvy has the complete quotes from an interview with Mark Attanasio prior to yesterday's game.
• The one bright spot to the Brewers season so far has been the performance of Jimmy Nelson. Adam McCalvy looks at the three starts Nelson has made so far this season.
• If the Brewers did decide to rebuild, who on the roster would be untouchable? Pete Schwichtenberg of Reviewing the Brew looks at the top candidates to not be traded in a rebuild.
• Adam McCalvy notes that in the vote for the Brewers Franchise Four, Robin Yount currently leads the voting, with Paul Molitor, Cecil Cooper, and Rollie Fingers following. The vote is open until May 8.

Minor League Update

News & Notes

• Brevard County recently drew some unexpected attention after they invited suspended ESPN reporter Britt McHenry to serve as a "reporter" for the team during her suspension. Benjamin Hill of MiLB.com has the story on what happened after the invitation was made.
• Also, on his personal blog, Benjamin Hill made a visit to Brevard County for a game and has a few pictures from the experience.
• Marcus Young of Miller Park Prospects reports that the Brewers signed LHP Michael Kirkman to a minor-league deal.

NL Central Update

• Pirates 4, Cubs 3
• Cardinals 7, Nationals 5

Today's Division Games

• Cubs (Kyle Hendricks) @ Pirates (Jeff Locke) - 11:35 am
• Cardinals (Michael Wacha) @ Nationals (Max Scherzer) - 3:05 pm

Around Baseball

Roster News

• The Angels place pitcher Matt Shoemaker on the bereavement list and recalled pitcher Nick Tropeano. They also claimed outfielder Gary Brown off of waivers from the Cardinals and transferred Cory Rasmus to the 60-day DL.
• The Blue Jays released outfielder Andy Dirks.
• The Dodgers made a series of roster moves yesterday. They released pitcher Freddy Garcia, recalled outfielder Chris Heisey, optioned pitcher Adam Liberatore, acquired pitcher Xavier Cedeno from the Nationals, and designated Daniel Corcino for assignment.
• The Mariners signed outfielder Carlos Quentin to a minor-league deal. The deal has an opt-out clause on May 12 if he is not on the major-league roster.
• The Rockies have reinstated John Axford from the bereavement list after missing 10 days while he was with his son. They also placed LaTroy Hawkins on the 15-day DL with biceps tendinitis, recalled RHP Scott Oberg, and optioned catcher Wilin Rosario to Triple-A.
• Rays reliever Jeff Believau will undergo surgery for a torn labrum and miss a significant amount of time. He has already been placed on the 60-day DL.
• Tigers closer Joe Nathan will miss the remainder of the 2015 season with a torn ulnar collateral ligament and tendon.
• The Yankees claimed LHP Matt Tracy off of waivers from the Marlins and optioned him to Triple-A.

Other Notes

• Yuniesky Betancourt is back on this continent, though not back in the country yet. Yesterday, Betancourt signed a deal to play for the Toros de Tijuana in the Mexican League.
• After going through years of appeals, Barry Bonds had his obstruction of justice conviction overturned yesterday by a federal appeals court. He had originally been convicted in 2011 for false statements he had made during the federal government's investigation into steroids.
• Over on ESPN SweetSpot, David Schoenfield makes his picks in the Franchise Four vote for each of the NL Central franchises.
• The Giants could be the first team to not allow any form of tobacco in their stadium. Chris Cwik of ESPN SweetSpot notes that the city of San Francisco is passing a new law to outlaw the use of any form of tobacco in athletic venues.

Today's Action

Trying to breaking this eight game losing streak and avoid a third series sweep this season, the Brewers face the Reds this afternoon in the final game of their four-game series. Kyle Lohse pitches for the Brewers, and Homer Bailey starts for the Reds. First pitch is at 12:40 pm.