Milwaukee, WI
Predicting the Milwaukee Brewers’ opening day roster with one week left in spring training
PEORIA, Ariz. – The churning of the Milwaukee Brewers’ roster situation is enough to make your head spin.
Or worse.
“It makes me want to puke,” Pat Murphy said.
While the Brewers manager can hopefully manage to keep his insides, well, inside between now and opening day next Thursday, his club’s current roster situation is certainly queasiness-inducing.
Injuries are at the forefront of that. Starting pitcher Tobias Myers suffered an oblique injury Saturday that will land him on the injured list to open the year. Fellow rotation candidates Aaron Ashby and DL Hall already were injured earlier in camp. Infielder Brice Turang is battling a shoulder ailment. And then there’s reliever Nick Mears, who will start the season on the 15-day IL because he was sick and lost nearly 10 pounds, perhaps taking Murphy’s words a bit too literally.
“We’re up against it a little bit,” Murphy said.
Just a little bit?
“A lot of bit.”
In a matter of only a few days, the Brewers’ roster discussion went from seemingly set to feeling like it’s taking place on a chess board. Even still, Murphy declared the puzzle, one that has all the top members of the Brewers’ brass in a state of constant meetings, a fairly simple one.
“You guys can figure it out,” Murphy said. “You only have so many options.”
Challenge accepted.
Let’s see if we can’t deduce where the Brewers’ roster currently stands.
Catchers (2)
William Contreras, Eric Haase
Nothing to see or talk about here – it’s the one position with full health.
Infielders (7)
Mark Canha, Vinny Capra, Oliver Dunn, Caleb Durbin, Rhys Hoskins, Joey Ortiz, Brice Turang
From right to left positionally, Hoskins, Turang, Ortiz and Dunn are the regulars on the infield. The Brewers are adamant that Turang’s right shoulder fatigue isn’t going to require an injured list stint, but they still aren’t quite out of the woods yet on it and that makes it worth monitoring.
Vinny Capra has all but been told he has made the team as a backup infielder.
“I think you guys have deduced that since Capra can play shortstop he’s our guy,” Murphy said.
That leaves two spots on the bench still to be decided, with Canha, Durbin and Andruw Monasterio (you could throw utilityman Isaac Collins in there, too, though he’s been primarily an outfielder this spring).
Canha will have to be informed by Friday whether or not he’s made the club. He’s one of the veterans on the roster – Margot is another – with an opt out in his minor-league deal. Every sign this spring has pointed to Canha making the club.
All indications from Murphy have been that Capra and Monasterio were the ones battling for a bench spot most of camp, and Durbin was mostly grouped in a platoon with Dunn. Durbin hasn’t been told he made the team yet and isn’t necessarily a lock, but it would be a surprise not to see him included.
Outfielders (4)
Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich
Also nothing to see or talk about here. Blake Perkins continues to recover from his fractured shin and Manuel Margot hasn’t looked nearly good enough on defense for the Brewers to be comfortable with him in right field.
Starting pitchers (4)
Aaron Civale, Nestor Cortes, Freddy Peralta, José Quintana
Unless the Brewers can find a way to keep Quintana off the roster on opening day without having to place him on the injured list, this will be their top four. They’ll need someone from the bullpen ranks, possibly Tyler Alexander or Elvin Rodriguez, to slot into the rotation for the time being while Tobias Myers returns from his oblique injury.
Relief pitchers (9)
Tyler Alexander, Bryan Hudson, Jared Koenig, Trevor Megill, Joel Payamps, Elvis Peguero, Elvin Rodriguez, Connor Thomas, Abner Uribe
This is where things get tricky. The injury to Myers opened up the floodgate for dozens of different permutations and possibilities for the Brewers. It’s what Murphy has been talking about in meetings with the Brewers front office members.
“We sat and went over every single scenario that we’re talking about right now,” Murphy said. “We didn’t solve anything. But I’ll tell you this – roster spots are very important and depth is so important on a team like this.”
Myers’ injury also could factor into how the Brewers approach Uribe’s looming suspension.
Previously, it seemed like they would open the year with him on the roster. With an off-day following opening day and a rested bullpen, it would be as good a time as there is to get the suspension out of the way.
Now, though, with only three fully-stretched out starters in the rotation, the Brewers are going to need as much length from the bullpen as possible. But if, say, Alexander or Rodriguez or Thomas are tasked with starting the home opener, their availability in New York would be limited. Would Milwaukee be too thin in the bullpen if a spot was used on Uribe?
You’ll notice that camp standout Craig Yoho isn’t on the roster. Murphy hinted that maintaining organizational depth would be at the center of roster decisions, and Yoho isn’t yet on the 40-man roster. He could very well open the year in the minor leagues.
If Yoho starts at Class AAA, that puts Uribe on the roster unless the Brewers dip into minor-league camp depth. That would mean Grant Anderson, who’s on the 40-man, would make the team.
Whatever the Brewers choose to open the year with, expect moves on the pitching side shortly thereafter. They have a cascade of pitchers with minor-league options remaining and could cycle fresh arms in as needed.
MILWAUKEE – A former high-end Milwaukee real estate broker charged with human trafficking, sexual assault and false imprisonment is headed to trial.
What they’re saying:
A district attorney’s office investigator and Milwaukee police detective testified in the case against 38-year-old Austin Chronister.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
“He’d lift her up, underneath her neck, pick her up off the ground, and slam her onto the staircase landing,” said MPD Det. Michael Walker.
Walker testified a woman said Chronister sexually assaulted her. She lived with Chronister at a State Street home for roughly six-and-a-half years, along with other women – including the co-owner of the house, Attorney Christin Saint Pierre.
Christin Saint Pierre leaves court on March 21
Saint Pierre was in court for Chronister’s preliminary hearing. She didn’t comment afterward. Saint Pierre is named in the complaint, but she is not charged in connection to the case.
“She was threatened at one time with being injected with some type of ingredient that would render her in a coma state,” said Sarah Blomme, an investigator with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
Blomme testified a second woman said she met Chronister on a dating website. She, too, signed a contract but felt she couldn’t leave. The investigator said the woman described a sexual assault, as well.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
The women said they weren’t allowed to turn down sex and would be subject to punishment.
“Physically beating her or doing some sort of reprimanding if chores weren’t done,” Blomme said. “She was prohibited from attending family events.”
The women told investigators they entered into a contract as a part of a BDSM lifestyle to live at the home, but became unhappy with the living situation and wanted to leave but felt they couldn’t.
“Her participation in sex parties was consensual?” Defense Attorney Nicole Muller said.
“I think there were some parties that were, and some parties where I think she felt like she was expected to do it,” Walker testified.
What’s next:
Neither Chronister nor his attorney commented after Friday’s hearing, at which he was bound over for trial. He is due back in court next month.
The Source: Information in this report is from the Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and Wisconsin Circuit Court.
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin Weekend in a Minute: March Madness hits Milwaukee, the state's largest chili cook-off, and more!
MILWAUKEE — March Madness is taking over downtown Milwaukee! The Marquette men’s Golden Eagles will serve as one of the host schools for both the first and second rounds. Games tip off Friday afternoon and you can still score tickets.
Davidson Park is hosting the ultimate NCAA watch party on Saturday. The free family-friendly event is open to all fans, you’ll find a big screen, food, drinks, and merch giveaways. It starts at Noon.
The Pink Pony Club has arrived in Milwaukee! The Cooperage is throwing a Chappell Roan dance party on Saturday night. This party is 21+ and tickets start at $17.
If an older sound is more your style you can relive the rock and roll magic of Fleetwood Mac with ‘Rumors’ — a tribute band. They’re playing at the Marcus Center!
Wisconsin’s largest chili cook-off takes place Sunday at the Kern Center. Thousands of people show up to sample and vote on 40 different chili recipes. If you bring two non-perishable food items for the Hunger Task Force you’ll get two free sampling tickets.
Talk to us:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
Report a typo or error
A few rain & snow showers and some sunshine for Metro Detroit this weekend
DHS' Kristi Noem says Trump admin will resume construction of 7 miles of southern border wall
Debate continues over traffic on SF Great Hightway
Game Day Guide: Stars vs Flyers | Dallas Stars
NASCAR Saturday schedule at Homestead-Miami Speedway
-
World1 week agoUkraine accepts 30-day ceasefire in US talks: What it means for Russia war
-
News1 week agoUnruly Passenger Swallows Rosary Beads on American Airlines Flight
-
News1 week agoEducation Department's major cuts to its staff. And, a proposed Ukraine peace deal
-
Technology1 week agoI outsourced my memory to an AI pin and all I got was fanfiction
-
World1 week agoTurkey should play key role in peace in Ukraine, says Polish PM
-
San Francisco, CA1 week agoSan Francisco Muni stabbing victim, suspect both ID'd as minors
-
News1 week agoSudiksha Konanki’s disappearance echoes Natalee Holloway case. Is it affecting travel?
-
Lifestyle1 week agoNBA Stars Like Jalen Brunson Enlist Social Media Surrogates to Expand Reach in China