What We Learned: Many roster decisions have been made

This Weekend’s Results

Brewers 5, Cubs 4

Brewers 7, Diamondbacks 7

Brewers 10, Indians 3

Reds 9, Brewers 8

Links from BCB

• The countdown to Opening Day is all the way down to 6 days. Today's post focuses on six Brewers prospects to watch. Previous posts from the weekend looked at #7 Alex Presley, #8 Ryan Braun, and #9 Aaron Hill.
• As Opening Day gets closer, the roster moves are piling up. It started on Saturday when the Brewers announced that Will Smith will begin the season on the disabled list after he tore a knee ligament while taking off his shoes. Then, on Sunday, the Brewers made a series of roster moves, which Derek covered on Sunday. Finally, the Brewers released Franklin Morales on Monday and told Chris Capuano he will make the roster.
  
  Here is the full list of moves over the past few days:
  • These players will not make the Opening Day roster:
    • Outfielder Shane Peterson
    • Outfielder Eric Young, Jr.
    • Infielder Jake Elmore
    • Infielder Will Middlebrooks
    • Catcher Josmil Pinto
    • RHP David Goforth
    • LHP Franklin Morales
  • These players will make the Opening Day roster:
    • Outfielder Ramon Flores
    • RHP Blaine Boyer
    • LHP Chris Capuano
• Following the addition of Blaine Boyer to the roster, Travis wrote a short introduction of Blaine Boyer in preparation for the season.
• When the Brewers take the field on Monday, what will the lineup look like? Derek has a prediction of what the Opening Day lineup will be. In addition, Derek discusses why this season will be different than previous seasons.
• Finishing up our series on previewing the NL Central teams, Kyle has a preview of the Chicago Cubs, I have a preview of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Derek reviews the Brewers offseason.
• In Travis' final report from Maryvale, he talked to Alex Presley and Shane Peterson about not knowing if they will make the team or not.
• The 18th edition of the mailbag came out on Friday. Topics include advanced stats, the future of the team, and if Derek previews cake or pie.
• Over in the FanPosts, roguejim asks which Brewers you are rooting for this season.

Other Brewers News and Notes

• With Will Smith going on the DL, opportunities will be opening for several relievers, specifically Jeremy Jeffress. Adam McCalvy of Brewers.com talked to Jeffress about the opportunity he will get as Brewers closer.
• The Will Smith injury has us remembering other freak injuries that cost Brewers time. Jack Moore of BP Milwaukee has a trip down memory lane with some of the freakiest injuries in Brewers history.
• Another injury to a reliever further simplified the bullpen race. Adam McCalvy notes that Zack Jones will also open the season on the DL.
• Ryan Braun is dealing with a new normal for himself after back surgery in the offseason. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel looks at Braun's new routine to deal with the ongoing injury.
• Before Sunday's game, as part of the Easter festivities, Scooter Gennett donned a bunny costume for an event for the Brewers players' families before hitting two home runs in the game that afternoon. Adam McCalvy wrote about Gennett's eventful Sunday.
• Over on Disciples of Uecker, Gabe Stoltz breaks down Wily Peralta's stats to find out why he has been struggling. Also, Jake Covery makes his own prediction on the Opening Day roster.
• While the Brewers have some trade chips on the pitching staff, teams aren't scrambling to try to acquire them. Julien Assouline argues that this is because teams are weary to acquire players who overperformed in the previous season.
• On Monday, a conversation with manager Craig Counsell turned to beer. On Brewers.com, Adam McCalvy wrote about Craig Counsell's tastiest beer.
• Saturday's preseason finale will take place in Biloxi. The Shuckers website has the schedule of events for the game.
• Over on the Minor Details blog, Lane Grindle looks at some of the Brewers minor league players who have done well this offseason.

Around Baseball

• Veteran pitcher Jamey Wright is expected to retire.
• The Braves acquired LHP Eric O'Flaherty from the Pirates for cash. They also released outfielder Nick Swisher.
• The Blue Jays claimed Jesus Montero off waivers from the Mariners and designated catcher A.J. Jimenez for assignment.
• Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward was stung several times by bees during the Cubs-Mariners game on Sunday, and the game was delayed for a few minutes as the bees were dealt with.
• The Diamondbacks have released relievers Sam LeCure and Wesley Wright.
• The Indians released outfielder WIll Venable and LHP Joe Thatcher. Also, outfielder Michael Brantley will not be ready for Opening Day, and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall was placed on the DL.
• The Mariners placed designated hitter Jesus Montero on waivers.
• The Mets scratched starting pitcher Matt Harvey from his scheduled final start of spring due to a non-baseball medical issue. In addition, his Opening Day assignment may be in jeopardy.
• The Nationals acquired first baseman Nate Frieman from the Braves for infielder/outfielder Tyler Moore. Also, they optioned shortstop Trea Turner to Triple-A.
• Orioles RHP Dale Thayer has opted out of his minor league deal.
• The Padres acquired RHP Dan Straily from the Astros for catcher Erik Kratz. They also returned Rule 5 pick Blake Smith to the White Sox after he cleared waivers.
• The Phillies signed manager Pete Mackanin through 2017 with an option for 2018. They also signed outfielder Will Venable to a minor-league contract.
• The Rangers released starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie.
• The Red Sox released Carlos Marmol. Also, outfielder David Murphy has opted out of his minor league deal.
• The Reds signed RHP Ross Ohlendorf to a one-year contract.
• The Royals released pitchers Brian Duensing and Peter Moylan, and infielder Clint Barmes.
• The Tigers optioned reliever Bruce Rondon to Triple-A and released reliever Bobby Parnell and third baseman Casey McGehee.
• The Twins released outfielder Carlos Quentin after he declined a minor-league assignment.
• Yankees outfielder Chris Denorfia has opted out of his minor league deal.

Today’s Action

It's the final game at Maryvale this spring as the Brewers face the Reds. First pitch is at 3:05 pm.