MILWAUKEE SCRATCHES PITCHER
Brewers right-hander Chase Anderson was scratched from his scheduled start against Colorado on Saturday night because of a stomach illness.
The team replaced Anderson with left-hander Brent Suter, who moved up a spot in the rotation.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell said the team was still deciding who will start Sunday’s series finale against the Rockies in place of Suter.
In a move made before the illness-induced pitching change, the Brewers selected the contract of right-hander Alec Asher from Triple-a Colorado Springs. The team made room for Asher on the 40-man roster by optioning righthander Jacob Barnes to Colorado Springs and then moving lefthander Wade Miley from the 10day disabled list to the 60-day DL.
Fishing for autographs.
Marlins closer Brad Ziegler collects autographed baseballs as well as saves.
His latest acquisition in the former category is a ball signed by Shaquille O’neal, who threw the ceremonial first pitch to Ziegler at the Braves-marlins game Friday.
Ziegler likes to take part in such festivities.
“It’s in my contract here to catch all the big-time celebrities when they throw the first pitch,” he joked.
This season, Ziegler has also caught ceremonial tosses from football players Antonio Brown and Mark Walton. In the past, he has been a pregame backstop for Nflers Larry Fitzgerald and Calais Campbell, entertainer MC Hammer and several Olympic medalists.
He always tries to snag an autograph, too.
Cubs’ Zobrist’s shoes need more blue. Major League Baseball has warned Ben Zobrist of the Chicago Cubs against wearing black cleats.
Zobrist posted a letter from the league office on Instagram saying the cleats he wore May 2 against Colorado violated the collective bargaining agreement. MLB says they must be at least 51 percent blue — the Cubs’ color — and warned he could be fined and disciplined if he doesn’t comply.
Zobrist says he has worn black cleats for day games at Wrigley Field the past two years to honor the game’s past. He says he was inspired watching highlights of greats such as Ernie Banks and Stan Musial in the 1950s and 1960s.
Zobrist says feedback from fans has been positive. He questioned why the league is enforcing the rule now.