MARCH 23, 2021•STARTRIBUNE.COM
Brewers' Hader happy with more defined ninth-inning roleMilwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader expects to remain more of a traditional ninth-inning closer this season after occasionally working mul...
Brewers' Hader happy with more defined ninth-inning roleMilwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader expects to remain more of a traditional ninth-inning closer this season after...
MARCH 23, 2021•USATODAY.COM
Brewers' Hader happy with more defined ninth-inning role
Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader expects to remain more of a traditional ninth-inning closer this season after occasionally working multiple innings earlier in his careerMARCH 23, 2021•ASSOCIATED PRESS
Potential closing optionWittgren has impressed manager Terry Francona this spring and could be a candidate to close games to start the season, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.
ImpactJames Karinchak is being drafted as if he's Cleveland's most likely closer, and while he could certainly fill the role, there hasn't been much of an indication from the team that he's the clear favorite. Karinchak struck out an incredible 48.6 percent of batters last season but also walked 14.7 percent, and he's been no different this spring, striking out 18 batters in eight innings while walking six. Wittgren, by contrast, offers a far less extreme package. Both his 28.6 percent strikeout rate and 6.1 percent walk rate last season were strong but not particularly noteworthy, and his 6:1 K:BB in six scoreless innings this spring is similarly solid. If Francona prefers stability over dominance in the ninth inning, it could well be Wittgren who earns the majority of the team's save opportunities this year.
MARCH 23, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Will split time at short, thirdArcia will split time at third base with Travis Shaw and at shortstop with Luis Urias this season, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
ImpactThe exact hierarchy among the trio remains unclear, but it looks as though all three could split time fairly equally. Shaw is the lone lefty in the group, so it's likely Arcia and Urias will both start against southpaws while alternating days off against right-handers.
MARCH 23, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Likely bound for ILNottingham (thumb) has resumed catching bullpen sessions, but he's expected to open the season on the 10-day injured list, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
ImpactNottingham has experienced a few minor setbacks in his recovery from the surgery he underwent on his left thumb in late December, so the Brewers appear inclined to take it slowly with the 25-year-old to begin the season. Though Nottingham has yet to catch in a game situation, he's seen action as a designated hitter in Cactus League contests, going 1-for-10 with a home run. Nottingham's likely move to the IL clears the way for Manny Pina to break camp with the Brewers as the No. 2 catcher behind Omar Narvaez.
MARCH 23, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Expected to pitch ThursdayBlack (elbow) appears on track to rejoin the Brewers' Cactus League pitching schedule Thursday against the Giants, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
ImpactSince making his second spring appearance March 5, Black has been in recovery mode from right elbow inflammation. Black was able to face hitters in live batting practice Monday without any complications, so the injury appears to be mostly in the rearview mirror at this point. Because of the time he missed, however, Black may not have a strong case for winning a spot in the Brewers' Opening Day bullpen.
MARCH 23, 2021•ROTOWIRE
