ACCORDING TO...
BREWERS BEAT WRITER TOM HAUDRICOURT
Journal Sentinel Brewers beat writer Tom Haudricourt answered readers’ questions in a chat Tuesday. Read the full transcript at jsonline.com/brewers. Q. When will Josh Hader be put in the rotation? A. It doesn’t sound like it will happen this season, but things are always subject to change. Because of need and opportunity, it was decided that easing Hader into the majors as a reliever is the right way to go. So, it might not be until next year. Q. What are the chances Wily Peralta gets released? Who replaces him? A. Peralta is currently on the DL with a calf strain. When he is ready to pitch again, he likely will be sent to the minors on a rehab assignment, which would give some time to see if he can get straightened out. If that doesn’t work, it might be time to cut ties. Q. What is Domingo Santana’s future with the team? Is he part of the long-term picture? A. That will be determined by Santana’s play and what the Brewers want to do with all of those outfield prospects. Obviously, they have more players than positions to play. They consider that a good problem and are willing to let things take their course. Q. Where do the Brewers find bullpen help, trade for it or look in system? A. I would think they’d explore both options. They certainly aren’t going to sell off prospects for relievers at this point, one wouldn’t think. Q. What is your best guess as how the season plays out with Jonathan Villar? A. If Eric Sogard keeps playing like this, Villar will have to fight for playing time. He put himself in that position and will have to figure a way out of it. Q. If the Brewers are still in contention at the deadline, is there a chance that we trade for a reliever like David Robertson? A. That price would likely be high and I don’t think the Brewers are in that mode right now. Any player they acquire likely would have to be considered part of the rebuild. Q. At what point in the season, if the Brewers are still in first, does it warrant bringing up Brett Phillips, Lewis Brinson and starters to fill reliever voids in a pennant race? A. Those decisions are always made on case to case basis. But the minor leagues are done at outset of September, so you can do whatever you want at that point. Q. What changes has Orlando Arcia made to improve his hitting so drastically? And if he keeps getting better, is there a chance we see him move up in the batting order? A. Beyond some minor adjustments with his hands and setup, the constant theme for Arcia is swinging at strikes. Like many young hitters, he didn’t have the greatest plate discipline when he arrived and that has been an emphasis with him. You can see it taking effect. Q. Have you heard anyone talking about Wei-Chung Wang, Michael Blazek or Tyler Cravy as reliever options? A. Wang and Blazek are not on the 40-man roster but they certainly have pitched well enough to merit consideration. Blazek has been stretched out as a starter, leaving some options with him. Cravy is on the 40-man roster but hasn’t pitched well enough overall to get the call, except for that one day in Chicago when a rainout cost him his call-up.