Woodruff will start on Sunday
PHILADELPHIA - Brandon Woodruff, who certainly knows the way between Class AAA and the big leagues this season, will rejoin the Milwaukee Brewers’ starting rotation on Sunday against Philadelphia.
This will be the fourth stint with the Brewers this season for Woodruff, who made the opening day roster but has been optioned to Colorado Springs three times. He will take the spot previously occupied by Zach Davies, on the disabled list for the second time with rotator cuff inflammation.
The Brewers chose Woodruff over Sky Sox right-hander Freddy Peralta, who made a sensational major-league debut in Colorado in May and allowed only one hit in 61⁄3 innings in his last outing for Colorado Springs.
“We thought at this point, this was the move that made sense,” general manager David Stearns said. “We were able to line ‘Woody’ up well to get him up here for Sunday’s start.
“Freddy continues to pitch very well. He’s going to have more starts in the big leagues this year. We know that. It’s just a matter of circumstances and timing.”
Woodruff, who was scratched from his scheduled start Friday for Colorado Springs, will be pitching on seven days of rest Sunday. His selection might have more to do with the fact he likely will return to the Sky Sox after the start to make room for the return of first baseman Eric Thames from the DL.
“There is time to figure all of this out,” Stearns said. “We’ve got another off-day coming (Thursday). That gives us some roster flexibility and rotation flexibility. We’ll figure out how we want to handle that.”
In eight outings with the Brewers, including three starts, Woodruff has gone 2-0 with a 6.05 ERA. He actually has struggled far more in the three starts, posting an 8.49 ERA with 14 hits, seven walks and 11 runs allowed in 112⁄3 innings.
Woodruff has fared much better in the tough pitching environment of Colorado Springs, going 2-0 with a 2.10 ERA in six starts, holding opponents to a .204 batting average.
“Brandon has been up and down a bunch, and he has pitched in a couple different roles,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He has handled it all very well. He has pitched well every time they’ve given him the ball at Colorado Springs. He is certainly capable and will be prepared for this start.”
Thames gets closer: Thames is expected to join the Brewers on their next home stand, though whether it happens during the opening Chicago series is still to be decided. He started at first base Wednesday in Colorado Springs, then in left field Thursday before getting some rest Friday.
“Everything has been good,” Counsell said. “He got four at-bats in each of the first two games. The two days in Arizona (in extended spring camp) went well, so he’s four days in. We’ll give him a day off today but early in the home stand I think he’d be activated.”
Thames is seeing action in both left field and first base with the Sky Sox in anticipation of being ready to do either with the Brewers.
Negotiating time: Because prep shortstop Brice Turang was projected to go higher than the 21st pick in the first round of the draft, the Brewers might have to go over the recommended signing bonus of $3 million for that slot. Otherwise, Turang could honor his scholarship commitment to LSU.
“We’ve got some work to do,” said Stearns, whose team has only $6.6 million in its draft bonus pool this year. “Our expectation is that we’re going to be able to sign him. We certainly hope we’re going to be able to sign him.
“Anytime you have a player with a commitment to a big-time program, you know he has a big decision to make. We’ll respect the process and see where it takes us.”