Brewers’ bullpen set to pick up slack
Williams, Boxberger recovering from ailments
The signs were good Tuesday for Milwaukee Brewers relievers Devin Williams and Brad Boxberger, the first in terms of having a short stay on the injured list and the second in avoiding it altogether.
Williams went on the 10-day IL on Saturday in Cincinnati after experiencing soreness in his elbow while warming up in bullpen the previous evening. In the game that night, Boxberger exited with shoulder stiffness after allowing a home run to the Reds’ Jonathan India.
Both right-handers played catch before the Brewers’ game with Kansas City at American Family Field and reported no issues.
“I didn’t think it was anything too serious,” said Williams, who has pitched 37 times, going 6-1 with a 2.97 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 331⁄3 innings. “It felt pretty good out there. Everything is progressing well. If you ask me right now, I think (10 days) will be enough.
“I’ve torn my UCL before (in the minors in 2017) and I know what that feels like. So, it wasn’t that. But it was a little something that was concerning, so we took the precautionary route. When we started back up Thursday, it wasn’t feeling right.
“Then, Friday when I warmed up, it really didn’t feel right. Luckily, I didn’t have to go into that game (after the Brewers expanded their lead to 11-6).”
As for how his shoulder was doing, Boxberger said, "We’ll see how it feels when I get back on a mound and go from there. I’ve got to talk to everybody and see what the plan is.
“Just warming up the other day, it felt a little off. Nothing major, nothing pulling or anything like that. Just a little off. More precautionary than anything. I wouldn’t think (an IL stint is necessary).”
Boxberger has pitched 42 times this year, accumulating 382⁄3 innings while going 3-2 with a 3.03 ERA and three saves. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he pitched 23 times for Miami, covering only 18 innings.
“With the short season last season, this whole season is going to be a little bit of a grind,” Boxberger said. “I’m trying to stay even and be available every day. It’s not so much innings as ups and downs (in the bullpen) and amount of games overall. It’s going to be a big thing for starters and the bullpen.”
Even with Williams out and the team being cautious with Boxberger, manager Craig Counsell said he has coverage in the bullpen, with two off days scheduled this week helping as well.
“Basically, the bullpen essentially has had two days off now (after only Angel Perdomo was used Sunday behind Corbin Burnes), so everybody is at full strength in the bullpen,” Counsell said. “Today’s game is not a concern at all. We’ll see how today’s game goes and then you monitor it tomorrow.
“As far as the back of the game goes, there’s a number of pitchers – (Hunter) Strickland’s pitched exceptionally well, (Jake) Cousins has pitched exceptionally well, Brent Suter’s locked and ready to go. So, we’re in good shape in my eyes. It’s going to be different names, but the guys have pitched well.”
Yelich showing promising signs
Christian Yelich, who said he didn’t even look at a baseball during the allstar break, showed some signs of getting going at the plate during the Brewers’ weekend sweep in Cincinnati. He went 4 for 14 with a home run – his first since June 26 – and three RBI.
Asked if he thought Yelich was ready to turn a corner after a tough first half, Counsell said, “I think we’re a good baseball team and he’s a huge part of it. I think every player picks out when they were the best and says, ‘I want to be that guy.’ And I’m not singling out Christian, I’m talking every baseball player.
“For Christian, it reached a height where he was the best in the game, or really darn close to it (in 2018-19). That’s a really high bar to get to again. What I know is he’s helping us win baseball games, and if he gets going and gets hot and gets swinging the bat really well, then that’s great.
“But we can be a really good baseball team and we need Christian to be good. I don’t think he’s been the version we saw the second half of ’18 and the first half of ’19, but I know he’s helping us win baseball games and that’s really good for me.”
Lauer had a fingernail problem
Originally, lefty Eric Lauer was supposed to pitch the first game against the Royals and veteran left-hander Brett Anderson had the second game. Counsell flipped them Monday and explained why he did so.
“Eric’s had a little bit of a fingernail issue, and because we can, we’re just going to give him an extra day,” Counsell said. “Brett’s obviously well-rested. As we monitored it through the weekend, we just thought this was the best way to go.”
After the Brewers’ pre-game workout, Lauer confirmed that he basically had a hangnail on his left index finger that got irritated and sore. But he said he expected no problems Wednesday.
Cain’s Nashville stint continues
Counsell said the decision was made to keep centerfielder Lorenzo Cain on his rehab assignment with Class AAA Nashville a bit longer even though Cain progressed to playing nine innings Sunday against Louisville. Cain has been recovering from a long stint on the IL with a hamstring strain and the Brewers want to make sure he is ready for regular action in the majors.
Cain has played six games with the Sounds, going 3 for 18 (.167) with a walk, six strikeouts and no RBI.
“I think the thought with Lorenzo right now is really stockpiling at-bats as we kind of go through this,” Counsell said. “He’s going to continue on with the Triple-A team and continue to get at-bats.
“I think for him, getting in a good place – he’s doing great health-wise; everything is great. I think it’s just piling up some more at-bats is something that we’re all interested in.”