Notes: Shortstop Luis Urías put on a late-camp hitting surge,
Luis Urías is going to see a lot of playing time at shortstop this season.
Exactly how much remains to be seen. But just the fact that he’s now solidly in the mix at his best position and wrapping up spring training on a good note is enough to have the 23year-old cracking some jokes.
“I mean, comparing this spring with the last one, I think definitely this one was better. I didn’t even play last year,” he said with a wry smile when asked where he thought he stood after going 2 for 3 with two doubles and a run scored in the Milwaukee Brewers’ 4-0 exhibition victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday night.
“Definitely, this one I’ve been feeling better. Just to be out there and have the game time and information before the season, that feels really good.”
Urías’ track record of injuries and bad luck has been well-chonicled, and it continued into this spring when he missed a little over a week with a left hamstring strain.
But since then, Urías has hit in seven of the 10 games he played in – including five straight, with four doubles – in upping his batting average to .314 and OPS to .971. He also has a home run and three runs batted in to his credit, along with 13 starts and 64 total innings at shortstop heading into Tuesday’s exhibition finale.
Manager Craig Counsell still isn’t calling Urías the starter at shortstop with Orlando Arcia expected to slide back and forth between there and third base. But there’s no doubt the Brewers want to see what they have after trading Trent Grisham and Zach Davies to the San Diego Padres for Urías and lefthander Eric Lauer in late November 2019.
“I mean, obviously I would like to be out there every day. I think that’s what every player wants; to be out there helping the team,” Urías said. He was less than impressive while playing mostly out of position at third base in 2020, hitting .239 with 11 RBI in 41 games.
For his career, Urías is a .226 hitter in 124 major-league games with 44 starts at second base, 43 at shortstop and 21 at third.
“But whatever is better for the team. I’ll be ready in any opportunity that I have,” he continued. “I know Orlando, whoever, is going to be there – I think we don’t know yet –but we have a really good group of players and anybody can do the job.”
Black going to alternate site
The Brewers announced that reliever Ray Black cleared waivers and was assigned to the alternate training site in Appleton. Black, 30, recently returned from a lengthy absence with elbow inflammation but only made three appearances in camp (no runs in 22⁄3 innings with five strikeouts) and the Brewers didn’t feel comfortable putting him on the opening roster with so little work.
Black was out of minor-league options so the Brewers put him on waivers and when he went unclaimed, they assigned him to the ATS.
With Black headed for Appleton and Justin Topa (flexor strain) going on the injured list, right-hander J.P. Feyereisen appears in good position to claim the final spot in the bullpen, assuming the Brewers open with seven relievers. Feyereisen, 28, finished a brilliant spring with a scoreless inning Tuesday in a 6-3 victory in Texas.
Finishing on a high note
The victory over the Rangers allowed the Brewers to sweep the twogame series and finish their exhibition schedule with a 15-11-3 record. They appear to be peaking at just the right time, with the pitchers turning in solid final outings and most of the lineup swinging the bat well.
Starter Brett Anderson allowed two first-inning runs but settled in and kept the Rangers off the board the next four innings. In six spring starts, Anderson went 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA.
“He was steady,” Counsell said. “Like Adrian (Houser, the previous evening), I thought it was a good tuneup for him. He’s ready to go, so we’re set. But he did have a nice camp. He was out there every fifth day. I think he’s in a good place endurance-wise and health-wise, and ready to go.”
Thanks to using the DH, Counsell was able to get both Lorenzo Cain and Jackie Bradley Jr., in the lineup for the finale as they continued to catch up with at-bats after missing time with injuries. But when the regular season starts, Counsell won’t have that luxury and must find action for four established outfielders, including Christian Yelich – who will play every day he can – and Avisail Garcia.
“I talked to them today and one of them has to sit every day,” Counsell said. “It doesn’t seem right, necessarily but that’s how it will work and I think it’s going to make us consistent and good offensively throughout the season.”
With a single and walk before exiting, Yelich finished the spring with a .393 batting average, 1.357 OPS, three home runs and eight RBI.
Opening day details
The Brewers announced several details regarding their season opener Thursday against the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field at 1:10 p.m.
Opening day tickets have sold out, with fan capacity at 25% to comply with health and safety protocols, meaning somewhere around 12,000 fans per game. Limited tickets remain for the other two games against the Twins but tickets do remain for most other games through May 2, which is as far as sales go for now.
Parking lots will open at 11:10 a.m. Thursday with no tailgating permitted. Gates to the ballpark will open at 11:40 a.m., with tickets providing a designated entrance time and gate.
All fans ages 2 and older must wear a facial covering over nose and mouth except while actively eating and drinking. Fans must socially distance with the exceptions of visiting concessions, a team store or restroom.
The Brewers encourage all fans attending games to download the MLB Ballpark App to their mobile phones. That App gives access to download tickets, parking passes, order concessions and access other ballpark information and entertainment features.
No cash payments will be accepted in American Family Field. Kiosks will be located around the ballpark where cash can be exchanged for a prepaid card, which can be used for purchases.
With the high temperature forecast to be 40, the roof will be closed.