CAMP REPORT
On the field: Rookie right-hander Brandon Woodruff made his final statement for a spot in the rotation with a fiveinning stint against the Cubs, a game the Brewers dropped, 4-3, at Sloan Park in Mesa.
He allowed six hits and four runs, with three coming in a rally in the fifth that included a two-run double by pitcher Tyler Chatwood.
“I was cruising along pretty good when I ran into that long inning,” said Woodruff, who had a 7.11 ERA in five outings covering 122⁄3 innings. “A few dink hits; ran into some long at-bats. But my stuff felt sharp today.”
Of what might happen with the back end of the rotation, Woodruff said, “I just go out and pitch and compete, and whatever happens, happens. That’s all I can do.”
Woodruff has a bullpen session scheduled for Sunday and he said, “After that, I’m not really sure.”
Jeremy Jeffress, Matt Albers and Yovani Gallardo each threw an inning of scoreless relief, continuing what’s been a spring-long trend of solid work from the bullpen.
“The guys that are on the team, I’m thinking let’s just get to the end of the spring and be your best self and in your best form,” manager Craig Counsell said. “The guys that are competing for a spot are all putting a really good foot forward, there’s no question about it.” Keon Broxton drove in two of Milwaukee’s three runs with an RBI double and an RBI single.
Weather: 80 degrees, partly cloudy.
Cactus juice: Workers wasted little time getting going on the renovations at Maryvale Baseball Park, which hosted the Brewers for the last time in 2018 on Thursday.
The facility was already buzzing with activity on Friday morning, with fencing being erected around part of the perimeter of the ballpark and holes being dug behind some of the practice fields. In the courtyard just in front of the main entrance to the Brewers offices, rose bushes were dug up to be moved. That area soon will undergo major construction.
Scoreboard: Cubs 4, Brewers 3. Record: 18-9-2. Saturday: Brewers at A’s, 2:05 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Jhoulys Chacín (2-1, 0.87) vs. RHP Santiago Casilla (0-0, 13.50). Radio: AM-620.
Countdown: Five days until the Brewers season opener March 29 in San Diego.