Gennett wants to face lefties

Second baseman hitting well in spring

Second baseman Scooter Gennett wants to be in the Milwaukee Brewers’ starting lineup on Monday afternoon.

“Everybody wants to be in there on opening day,” he said.

The problem is the San Francisco Giants are starting a left-handed pitcher in the season opener at Miller Park. And not just any lefty, but one of the best in the game, Madison Bumgarner.

The left-handed-hitting Gennett was not given many chances to face lefties last season, accumulating only 36 of his 391 plate appearances against them. As previously in the majors, he struggled badly, hitting .114 with a .310 OPS.

Since coming to the majors, Gennett, 25, has done little against lefties, batting .124 (14 for 113) with a .297 OPS. That is a far cry from his production against right-handers — .307 batting average and .796 OPS.

After recovering from a shoulder issue that forced him to miss the first two weeks of exhibition play, Gennett has been on a hitting rampage this spring.

Entering the Brewers’ exhibition game Friday night in Houston, he was batting .462 (12 for 26) with a .500 on-base percentage and 1.538 OPS, with three doubles, four home runs and seven runs batted in.

During that spree, Gennett made the most of facing lefthanded pitching, with five hits in eight at-bats (.625), 1.875 OPS, two doubles and a home run.

“I’m thankful I got an opportunity this spring to hit against some lefties, and I’m just looking forward to the opportunity during the season,” Gennett said.

Counsell would not commit in advance to putting Gennett in the lineup against Bumgarner, however. And he was guarded when asked if Gennett would get more opportunities during the season to face lefties.

“That’s a decision we’re going to have to make,” Counsell said. “We haven’t made it yet. We’ve talked about it. He’s not doing anything to hurt his case, that’s for sure.”

While coming through the Brewers’ farm system, Gennett played every day and held his own against left-handed pitchers, batting .279 (165 for 591). But, because he struggled upon arriving in the majors, he fears he was too hastily deemed a platoon player after only 119 plate appearances vs. lefties.

“It’s impossible to hit what you’re not facing,” he said. “I’ve never lacked for confidence in facing (lefties). I wish I could predict the future but we’ll see what happens.”

Three go on DL: The Brewers made three expected disabled list moves Thursday, placing outfielder Rymer Liriano and relievers Zack Jones and

Sean Nolin on the 15-day disabled list.

Liriano was hit in the face by a pitch in an exhibition game March 20 and underwent surgery Monday to repair facial fractures. He is expected to be out of action for an extended period before going on a rehab assignment. Liriano is out of minor-league options and his injury delayed having to make a decision on keeping him on the Brewers roster.

Jones experienced shoulder issues during camp and made only one exhibition appearance for the Brewers. The decision finally was made to allow him to strengthen the shoulder with a throwing program. Jones is a Rule 5 draft pick from Minnesota and must be kept on the major-league roster all season or be offered back, so that decision was postponed as well.

Nolin, claimed off waivers from Oakland early in camp, was shut down with an ailing elbow and has not pitched for two weeks. When only slight improvement was made, he underwent an MRI that showed an elbow strain. General manager David Stearns said Nolin would get a second opinion and go from there.

The Brewers still have DL moves pending with relievers Will Smith and Yhonathan Barrios. Smith is out with a torn ligament in his right knee, and Barrios has a serious shoulder injury that likely will require surgery at some point.

Smith and Barrios probably are headed for the 60-day DL, which would open 40-man roster spots for veteran relievers Chris Capuano and Blaine Boyer. Capuano and Boyer came to camp as non-roster players but were told earlier in the week they made the club and therefore must be added to the 40-man roster before opening day.

Possible AAA move: The Colorado Springs Gazette reported the ownership group of the Brewers’ Class AAA Colorado Springs affiliate could announce plans next week to move the team to San Antonio.

The Elmore Sports Group, which owns the Sky Sox, also owns the Class AA San Antonio Missions. The city council there is considering plans to build a downtown stadium to attract a Class AAA club,