Williams makes MLB debut
CINCINNATI – It wasn’t the situation in which Taylor Williams envisioned making his major-league debut but he made the most of it.
Thrust into a game the Brewers were trailing, 7-1, in the eighth inning, Williams retired both Cincinnati batters he faced Wednesday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.
He threw his fastball in the 96-97 mph range and did not look nervous in the least.
Though he’d rather have pitched in a victory, it was a big moment for Williams, 26, after he missed the 2015 and 2016 seasons with an elbow issue that required Tommy John reconstructive surgery. Used cautiously, he pitched well enough for Class AA Biloxi to warrant a September call-up and his first taste of the majors.
“It would have been nice to be involved in a win, especially with how close the race is,” Williams said. “But it was good to get my feet wet, and just get out there and be in control of my nerves, and get two outs.
“I had five or six games to prepare since I’ve been
here to be out in the bullpen, and mentally and physically prepare for my opportunity. We have a great group of guys in the bullpen so I really had a lot of help. I talked to those guys and picked their brains, to see how to mentally prepare for situations.
“I used that to go out and get the outs. It felt good. You do want to win, so I wasn’t extremely excited. But it was good to get out there.” Woodruff waits:
When September began, manager Craig Counsell cautioned not to get caught up in what the rotation is going forward. He said things will be fluid, with all hands on deck, and that’s the way it has been thus far.
With an off-day Thursday before a huge weekend series in Chicago, rookie right-hander Brandon
Woodruff had a turn skipped, in essence. He was told to be ready to pitch if needed out of the bullpen Wednesday but wasn’t used.
“I guess we’ll know more after today,” he said. “I’m going to prepare the same every day. I’m not going to change anything.”
Woodruff was brilliant in his last start Saturday against Washington, allowing only two hits and one run over seven innings in a game the Brewers lost late, 3-2. In four starts since coming up from the minors, he is 1-1 with a 1.52 ERA, allowing only 17 hits in 23 2/3 innings while logging 20 strikeouts.
Counsell indicated Woodruff will return to the rotation Monday night against Pittsburgh at Miller Park.
The Brewers will need a fifth starter the next day, and it remains to be seen who will get that assignment.
Woodruff said he had not been told for sure he would start Monday and is taking things as they come for a team unexpectedly in the playoff race.
“I’m used to pitching every five days but that’s OK,” he said. “I’ll stay ready to pitch. I just want to help the team get to the playoffs. Whatever they need, I’ll be ready.” Suter stays ready: Left-hander Brent Suter is in a similar situation, staying ready to pitch either as a spot starter or out of the bullpen. He came off the disabled list after a bout with rotator cuff inflammation and pitched three shutout innings Sunday on short rest in a 7-2 victory over Washington.
He pitched an inning Wednesday behind starter Matt Garza and said he’d be ready for any situation.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “I’m just going day to day.”
Suter has been valuable as a swingman for the Brewers during a season in which he has been up and down from the minors four times. He filled in admirably in the rotation when Chase Anderson was out for five weeks with an oblique injury before his shoulder issue cropped up.
Now, with Counsell focused on “getting outs” without worrying so much about roles, Suter said he stays at the ready.
“In September, they’re all meaningful games, so if I can help the team out of the bullpen, that’s awesome,” he said. “Whatever I can do to help. I’m used to that.
“I’ve been doing that for three years. So, taking it day by day is the best way to go. I’m just grateful to be in this position. My shoulder feels great. I’m ready to go.”